Hammers ready… Its National Nest Box week

The swift is this years target species (credit: Billy Lindblom)

Tomorrow sees the start of the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) National Nest Box Week. Every year between 14th February and 21st February the BTO wants you to prepare for the return of the migrant birds.

This year the target species that the BTO want you to concentrate on is the swift. The swift is an iconic bird but it is in fast decline and if you can put up some nest boxes for swifts you can help to reverse the trend.

Boosting energy efficiency could leave swifts without a home.

With increasing energy costs really hitting home for many people this year a lot of roofs have been repaired to boost energy efficiency. This means that some of the 100,000 pairs of swifts coming back to the UK this year may find themselves unable to get access to their earlier nest sites.

But there’s other reasons that swifts – who prefer to return to their same site year on year – may find they need to find a new home. Fortunately the birds are a species that are happy to nest in man-made boxes where available. If you live in an areas of Britain that regularly sees swifts during the spring then consider putting up a nest box specifically made for swifts – or make one yourself!

Swifts are National Nest Box week target species but all birds need a home.

Most of the birds that return from Africa each year will tend to return to the south and east of the UK but they can be found across the country. If none usually come to your locality don’t worry – there are lots of other bird species you can put up a box for this year. don’t put too many together though in a garden and don’t put the nest boxes too close to the bird table and feeders – there’s too much disturbance and stress for new parent birds.

If you can put up a swift nest box though the best place is high up under the eves. They need to be placed out of direct sunlight and sheltered from the more extreme of the elements. Try and site your nest box away from overhanging branches and wires to allow the birds easy entry and exit.

There are lots of different styles of boxes you can buy commercially. thee’s community boxes which allow more than one breeding pair to nest or there’s the more common place cup type bowls that you can buy for individual nesting pairs.

Commercial builders can get involved with swift bricks.

Commercial builders can also get involved with ensuring that there are lots of places for swifts to nest when they build new homes or other buildings. It’s now possible to buy ‘swift bricks’ that can be built into the wall of a building. These bricks provide long-lasting homes to the birds and still allow the building to hit maximum efficiency targets.

The swifts may only be with us for as little as 3 months but it’s an important time for them – it’s when they breed. But it’s also great for us to see the birds arrive as it’s a sure sign that Summer is on the way.

Put your bird boxes out now – the birds are preparing to make their way home again.

External sites:

BTO: National Nest Box Week.
London Swifts: Swift Bricks.
BTO: Nest Box plans (pdf).

Amazon: swift nest boxes.