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Plea to Sussex developers to help the swift
THE RSPB is challenging the building industry in Sussex to follow the lead of householders and take action for swifts.
The wildlife charity believes that if the building and roofing industry, developers and local authorities would take swifts to heart like Sussex householders have, it could ease a housing crisis for the declining birds.
Simon Marsh, RSPB head of planning and regional policy, said: "We really hope that the building industry will sit and up and take notice of the difference they could make to an extremely popular bird. All it takes is some simple steps to create nesting sites during renovation work, or when they are building new houses, especially in areas where swifts are already present."
Numbers of these summer migrants in the UK have declined by almost 30% in recent years, meaning they are now of conservation concern.
The RSPB is trying to understand why swifts are declining, but loss of nest sites through building improvement or demolition is thought to be a serious issue, as they nest almost exclusively on buildings.
Last year, in a nationwide search launched by the charity, the people of Surrey reported 56 swift nest sites and 185 screaming parties.
Groups of swifts will often fly at low level, close to their nesting site, making a high pitched screech- these are known as screaming parties. The locations of screaming parties usually indicated that there is a nest nearby.
The results revealed the critical role that buildings play in the future of the species, with all swifts recorded found nesting on buildings and over three quarters of them (77%), found nesting in houses.
The RSPB believes that home and business owners, builders and developers all play a fundamental role in helping this species, which has declined dramatically in recent years.
And the charity hopes that more can be done to protect existing nests and provide more nesting opportunities in new buildings and renovations.
Sarah Niemann, RSPB species recovery officer says: "The RSPB feels that if five per cent of all new builds were to include new nest sites, it would be a great step forward for swifts.
"Swifts need people, and sharing your house with swifts is a real privilege. They make perfect, quiet neighbours. And even better, their return to us each year is a welcome herald of summer!"
The RSPB is continuing its swift search this year and appealing one again to people in Sussex to look out for groups of screaming swifts at roof level or where they have seen swifts nesting – perhaps entering a hole in the building or under a roof.
They would like any sightings reported to them via their website at: www.rspb.org.uk/helpswifts
Some developers, councils and private individuals are already helping swifts. This year, the RSPB website includes a section for them to report on the great work they've been doing to create new nests.
The data is being made available through the National Biodiversity Network, and will be particularly useful to local authorities and developers. They can use the data to help this wonderful bird, and can report where new nest sites have been provided.
The RSPB suggests a number of simple measures that could help the fast dwindling swift population:
1.Leave any existing nest sites undisturbed where possible. Swifts will use the same nest sites again and again.
2.If you need to carry out repair work on your roof or fascias and soffits, make new nest access holes to match the old ones at exactly the same spot.
3.If building a new house, plan some internal nest spaces at the design stage.
4.If you are unable to do any of these, the other alternative is to fit a custom-made swift box.
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Weather for Horsham
Thursday 09 February 2012
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