SMS member Jude Benson has been working hard in the Chorlton area this year to galvanise residents around the idea of swift boxes.

The project is building momentum and here local resident Caroline shares news from their most recent meeting:

I am one of the Chorlton residents who met with Jude and other members of the South Manchester Swift Group, and Roshni Parmar-Hill from the RSPB, on 26th October 2024. We had a very enjoyable and productive meeting in our local scout hut focussing on a plan to make Egerton Road South (and its adjoining streets?) Manchester’s first swift street.

We already have an established swift population nesting in the eaves of our 1920s estate and we talked about how we can nurture and expand the colony.

Suggestions included installing swift boxes, growing insect-friendly plants in gardens, street gardens and on the Fallowfield Loop (which backs onto Egerton Road South), and getting local people on side.

Approximately 12 residents came to the meeting and we also had messages expressing interest from others who couldn’t make it. There’s lots of enthusiasm for the project and we plan to hold a follow-up meeting and hopefully hold a swift arrival party in the scout hut in May.

Most of us hadn’t appreciated how localised our swift colony is, and huge thanks are due to Jude for highlighting how special the colony is. Also for organising the meeting, and to Roshni and the others from the Swift Group who came along and contributed so much.

Be part of South Manchester Swifts in Chorlton

If you, or someone you know, live in Chorlton and are interested in supporting the project, please get in touch via our contact form below and we will put you in touch with Jude.

You can also support the work by become a member of SMS – see the Join Us page for more information.