Maybe it’s because we are looking out for them but this summer there seem to be more swifts about than usual. Members of our WhatsApp group have sent in some wonderful videos of the birds swooping around their houses, skimming low over the river or, in the case of this video of Andrew’s, (See right) young swifts known as bangers actually knocking against nest boxes. They do this to check a box is vacant for use the following year.
Our members have been out and about with our display, visiting outdoor events in Chorlton and Didsbury. Armed with nest boxes, swift bricks and giving on the spot demonstrations of callers we’ve been able to spread the message of swift conservation. On Open Gardens Day we set up stall at Broomcroft House where Manchester University is installing swift boxes and the Vice Chancellor’s wife, Diana is making the grounds as wildlife friendly as possible. She had been working with the famous local hedgehog heroine, Barbara Roberts who brought along some orphaned baby hedgehogs.
Below – Barbara and the hoglets
We had a lovely day at Fletcher Moss when we, and the RSPB, got together to celebrate the swiftbricks, newly installed in the Croft. Of course, this is easier said than done as swift bricks are barely perceptible in a large brick wall. All you can see of each one is a smallish hole, just big enough for a swift to squeeze into.
On this occasion we had a second display, urging people to encourage insects. After all, there’s no point in our covering buildings with swiftboxes so the birds can breed freely if there’s not enough for them to eat. When feeding chicks, one swift can catch 10,000 insects a day. Our display emphasised the importance of flowers and plants that attracted bees, butterflies and other pollen- attracted insects. This was very easy as all the flowers surrounding us were of that type; all planted by our member Rachel and the Friends of Fletcher Moss Park and Parsonage Gardens.
Right – Rachel speaking about insects to an interested onlooker
Left – Our team, set up and ready for their public!
Over the course of the day we had a good number of people look at our displays, boxes and caller and ask our team about swifts. Trudy had made some swift based games/ puzzles, ostensibly for children but enjoyed by plenty of adults.
Emily told the children a swift based story which enthralled them and, later on, Alison, Trudy and Rachel led a nature walk through Fletcher Moss Park to the River Mersey.
The RSPB took part too with some lovely children’s activities. They made paper swifts and pipecleaner dragonflies. Fletcher Moss is a key place for the RSPB as Emily Williamson, their founder, lived in The Croft from 1882 to 1912.
Left – A young artist works at the RSPB stall
Nesting Swifts
The most exciting part of our summer was when people reported swift activity around their boxes. There were lots of ‘bangers’. These are young swifts testing out whether boxes are in use. It is a sign they are highly likely to nest next year.
As far as actual nests go, we know that 2 boxes have been inhabited in West Didsbury, 2 in Chadderton and one in Urmston. I hope there are one or two more that we haven’t heard back from. Swifts usually take a couple of years to inhabit new boxes but this is a very hopeful start for us.
