Chorlton resident Caroline Pinney shares an update from the neighbourhood where a group of local residents have created Manchester’s first ‘Swift Street’ with support from South Manchester Swifts:

Monday 7th April was an important day for swift-lovers on Egerton Road South in Chorlton and, we hope, for our local swift population.

Jan from Nestworks came over from Sheffield and installed an amazing total of 29 boxes on the street (including three on adjoining Lambton Road), beating his own record for the number of nest boxes put up in one day.

We are now officially Manchester’s first Swift Street, and our street Swifties are looking forward to the imminent return of our colony.

Swifts have long been nesting in the eaves on our street, and we enjoy the sight and sound of our local swift parties as they swoop over and between the houses and gardens on our estate.

The installation of the Egerton Road South boxes, was followed by more boxes being put up the next day on Sandy Lane, Chorlton Central Church and in Old Trafford.

Huge thanks are due to Jude Benson, who originally identified Egerton Road South as an important site for our local nesting population and has done such a lot of work in initiating and organising the project. And big thanks too to Roshni Parmar-Hill from the RSPB and to the RSPB itself for lending Roshni to us and funding the installation of the boxes. Also, Julian Beach, Jan from Nestworks, and last but not least, South Manchester Swifts for their expertise and support.

Want to find out more about how you could support the establishment of more swift colonies across South Manchester?

Why not come along to our next SMS meeting:
Find out more here.