It's often the case that they take a while to find them, since it's mainly the young birds who search for new nest sites. I would be tempted to set up a recording of swift calls to attract them from about the second week of April onwards. If you don't want to have starlings taking over, you could put a wooden plug in the hole until you start playing the swift calls in late April. I'm sure there is more expert advice on playing the calls available, try the RSPB or the BTO.
Sadly so very true and the same here in Somerset as well. For many years we used to have several nesting under the eves at our Infant school in the village. It was lovely to watch them swooping in over the playground but they've been gone for the past 3 years now!
I bought RSPB's rather expensive swift boxes two years ago and installed them in the eaves of my old house. Despite having swifts in the area (Rawtenstall) every year, they've not taken to my boxes. I don't understand why not!
Maybe not everyone has a house to install swift box, but there are always something we can do for nature. In my opinion, even we just pay a bit more attention to recycling rules, it will make a huge difference. ^v< b
I have bought a Swift nest box, 2 house Martin boxes and a bat box, all ready to go up on my house. I just don’t have the DIY skills or a ladder high enough to actually install them. If anyone can help me please let me know. I’m in Lichfield, Staffordshire.
That's good to see, I have two nest boxes and I've had bluetits coming back for two yrs now, I would love a swift box as well.
Great to see help for Swifts. Well done RSPB Worcester and Malvern
I live in the Worcester/Malvern area and put up 2 swift boxes 2 years ago. So far only sterlings have nested in them!
It's often the case that they take a while to find them, since it's mainly the young birds who search for new nest sites.
I would be tempted to set up a recording of swift calls to attract them from about the second week of April onwards.
If you don't want to have starlings taking over, you could put a wooden plug in the hole until you start playing the swift calls in late April.
I'm sure there is more expert advice on playing the calls available, try the RSPB or the BTO.
Brilliant, I’m putting up swift boxes this year,
Its wonderful to see an estate except them putting boxes up. I wish i could get boxes up for swifts.
Really good to read.
You used to see loads of swifts when I was a kid. Hardly ever see them now 😞
Sadly so very true and the same here in Somerset as well. For many years we used to have several nesting under the eves at our Infant school in the village. It was lovely to watch them swooping in over the playground but they've been gone for the past 3 years now!
I bought RSPB's rather expensive swift boxes two years ago and installed them in the eaves of my old house. Despite having swifts in the area (Rawtenstall) every year, they've not taken to my boxes. I don't understand why not!
They can take a while to find them, some people play recordings of swift calls to attract them.
Maybe not everyone has a house to install swift box, but there are always something we can do for nature.
In my opinion, even we just pay a bit more attention to recycling rules, it will make a huge difference.
^v< b
I have bought a Swift nest box, 2 house Martin boxes and a bat box, all ready to go up on my house. I just don’t have the DIY skills or a ladder high enough to actually install them. If anyone can help me please let me know. I’m in Lichfield, Staffordshire.