Our beginnings

Peter Norman lived in Didsbury for 11 years, leaving in 1989. He returned to be nearer family in 2022 and was struck by the absence of swifts in the area.  Previously they had been a common sight in the summer skies. Now their population had reduced by 60% worldwide in 20 years.

Having worked successfully with a swift conservation group in Ludlow to reverse this decline, he wrote to the Didsbury Post to canvass support for setting up a group in South Manchester.  There was enough response for South Manchester Swifts to hold our first meeting in August 2022, and establish our community group for swift conservation in South Manchester.

The challenge

The biggest problem for the birds is that the gaps where they built their nests, in the roofs and eaves of old buildings, is disappearing with modernisation and demolition. 

Purpose-built swift nest-boxes are needed, so our swift group set about providing them.  Our secretary Andy had been building swift boxes already and we also got together with woodworking geniuses Men in Sheds. Their Heatons branch soon set up a production line of specialised swift nesting boxes.

Taking action

Swift boxes are more successful if they are placed near other swift nests. Our members are brilliant at spotting where swifts are prevalent, persuading people to put up boxes and generally spreading the word. 

In 2024 we applied for a Neighbourhood Investment Grant. We received £1000 and used it to put boxes up free-of-installation-charge in the Mersey Crescent Estate and south of Barlow Moor Rd in Didsbury.  

We’ve now put up over 100 boxes. These are around Didsbury where we began, and also in Northenden, Levenshulme, Sale, Macclesfield, Middleton and several spots in Cheshire. 

Find out about all our latest actions and updates in our News section. nd if you want to become a member head to Join Us to find out more.

South Manchester Swifts is a conservation group for swifts in South Manchester.
We meet once a month at the Albert Club, Old Lansdowne Rd, M20 2PA
Information on the next meeting can be found in the News section.   All welcome!