Written by Pam Siddons, SMS Chair

Eight people from RSPB England’s Leadership Team visited Chorlton recently to see our Swift Street at Egerton Road South. They walked round with Roshni and some of our members, Judy Hindle, Julian Beach and John Dwyer, who explained how the project had come together.

Two Swift Streets have now been completed in Chorlton and a third is on its way. A Swift Street is a road in which a good number of residents have installed swift nest boxes and it is hoped that, over the years, swifts will be able to establish a colony.

Our Chorlton members, with support from Roshni Parmar-Hill, the local RSPB Community Engagement Officer, had spread enthusiasm for swifts amongst local people and organised the acquisition and installation of the boxes.

The boxes, specially designed for swifts, are made for our group by Heatons’ Men in Sheds. They have perfected the ability to provide top quality boxes in fairly large numbers. Twenty-nine have gone up on fifteen houses in Egerton Road South and adjacent Lambton Road. Amongst these are several caller devices which send out the sounds of flying swifts to attract the birds.

To provide a source of food our members have also leafleted the houses in the street describing ways people can create more insect friendly gardens.

The RSPB was impressed with the way local people, the RSPB, our swift group and Men in Sheds had come together to bring the project to fruition. South Manchester Swifts was delighted to have been recognised by such a well respected organisation.

Of course, all we need now are some feathered residents…

Learn more about the ways you can help swifts on our ‘How we can help swifts’ page.