Swift Nest Boxes

Weymouth Town council arborist Darren has fitted some swift nest boxes at Wey Valley Academy. The school is hosting some nestboxes as part of the Weymouth Swift Town project – an initiative by the local RSPB group to increase swift populations in Weymouth.

 Swifts are in decline, partly due to a loss of nesting sites. Swifts nest in small gaps in older buildings. Modern construction and building renovations seal these gaps, destroying traditional nesting sites.

They typically arrive in the UK in April having flown from their wintering grounds in Africa, often appearing in noisy groups—known as "screaming parties"—around nesting sites, staying until early August.

 We hope to fit a swift caller later this spring – a speaker which plays swift calls at dawn and dusk to attract birds to the nest site.

 If you’re interested in swifts and what you can do to help these urban birds you can join the Weymouth swift town project ((20+) Weymouth - swift town | Facebook) or attend a free talk on the secret lives of swifts Thursday 5^th March at Wyke Regis Memorial Hall at 7.30pm (facebook event link: https://fb.me/e/1RKYblq1oi). Email rspb.southdorsetgroup@gmail.com for more information.