Tisbury Natural History Society
  • Home
    • About the Society
    • Committee
  • Blog
  • Talks & Films
  • Field trips
  • Young Nature Watch
  • Resources
    • Wildlife identification and recording >
      • Local wildlife >
        • Local wildlife sites
        • Birds
        • Butterflies
        • Mammals
        • Wildflowers
      • Identification
      • Recording
      • Wildlife trail camera project
    • Other useful websites
    • Reading list
  • Contact us

Blog

Our Tisbury Swifts Campaign is taking off

21/2/2021

 
The talk by Edward Mayer of Swift Conservation was the starting point - more details on the Talks/What you missed page.  So - what are we doing to protect existing nest sites and provide new ones for the young?

First of all, we are now a team of three: 
  • Laura Downer is managing the project and is the first point of contact at  at [email protected]​
  • Andrew Graham is our recorder and mapper of sightings and nesting. 
  • Elizabeth Forbes, ie Website Editor, will provide help assessing the suitability of nesting sites, liaising with swift experts.

​The plan
  • First, we're recording all the existing nest sites - including those believed unoccupied - that we know of in the village. Because they're so unobtrusive they're very vulnerable to maintenance and repair, so identifying them must ensure they're not disturbed. Also, when we know where in the village is favoured it will help us decide where to put up new boxes as swifts generally like to nest with others nearby.
  • Next, we will identify sites for new boxes.  It is important to accept that swifts may not use the boxes for a year or two, or even three.  To maximise the chance of occupation, there are recordings of the mating calls that can be played in or near the box, and this is very strongly recommended.
  • Then, in the summer we will ask people to keep watch in the late evening to see if birds are returning to the nest, which is the only time they do so, to feed their young.  This may help find nests not identified earlier in the year.
How you can help

A range of leaflets from Swift Conservation covers pretty well all the questions you may have, starting with Swifts for homeowners.
  • If you know of an existing nest site, let us know: please in the first instance email Laura at [email protected]
  • If you are interested in putting up one or more nest boxes or providing accessible spaces for them, you will find useful guidance in the leaflets Swift nest boxes at your home or Swift nest places in soffits and eaves.  Please contact Laura ([email protected]) if you are interested in a group purchase and help with installation - COVID 19 permitting.  For those participating, Elizabeth will help assess the suitability of sites, liaising with swift experts.  For those wishing to install boxes independently, further advice on the suitability of sites is offered by Swift Conservation.  Please remember you may not attract swifts for a few years and maybe never.  But if you can install the recordings of calls made by a breeding swift that are available, the chances are greatly improved.​​​
  • If you would like to help survey the village for active nest sites in the summer, also please let Laura know at [email protected]​.

Thank you - it's going to be an exciting year!

Comments are closed.
    Photo: Avocets ​(Izzy Fry)

    ​The headers display photos taken by our members. Do get in touch via the Contact Form if you'd like to submit a photo for selection.
    Get our website news by email:
    Also go to our pages at:

    Facebook
    Instagram

    Archives

    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018

    Categories

    All
    Birds
    Butterflies & Moths
    Conservation & Biodiversity
    Field Trips
    Film
    Fish
    Focus Magazine
    Fungi
    Identification & Recording
    Insects & Molluscs
    Mammals
    Oysters Coppice
    Plants
    Special Events
    Surveys
    Swifts Project
    Talks
    Trees
    Wildlife Camera

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
    • About the Society
    • Committee
  • Blog
  • Talks & Films
  • Field trips
  • Young Nature Watch
  • Resources
    • Wildlife identification and recording >
      • Local wildlife >
        • Local wildlife sites
        • Birds
        • Butterflies
        • Mammals
        • Wildflowers
      • Identification
      • Recording
      • Wildlife trail camera project
    • Other useful websites
    • Reading list
  • Contact us