New video method tested for Swift nest detection

[Laurinda Luffman]

Hi All

 

My colleague, Malcolm, posted this new science study outlining a video method for detecting nest sites on large buildings.

Conserving urban habitats: Enhanced detection of common swift nests in buildings using a video fusion method - Sandoz - 2026 - Ecological Solutions and Evidence - Wiley Online Library

 

Very cool!

 

L

 

Laurinda Luffman Head of Trusts & Foundations, RSPB Swift species lead laurinda...@rspb.org.uk 07940 724242 (DD) | 01767 680 551 (Sbd)

UK Headquarters The Lodge Sandy Bedfordshire SG19 2DL rspb.org.uk

Protecting habitats, saving species and helping to end the nature and climate emergency. Nature is in crisis. Together we can save it.     The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654.

 

 

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[Jerry Horn]

Hi Laurinda,

Thanks for the link!  I'm fascinated by their flight patterns, especially the bonding sessions. Great when software is useful, but fun too!

... added a few pics, converted from a few seconds of video fromthe garden last year.

Huge thanks to the developers.  Marvelous!

Jerry

[Laurinda Luffman]

AMAZING photos, Jerry!

 

Thanks so much for sharing.

 

Laurinda

 

From: swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Jerry Horn
Sent: 18 February 2026 16:23
To: swiftslocalnetwork <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [SLN] Re: New video method tested for Swift nest detection

 

Hi Laurinda,

 

Thanks for the link!  I'm fascinated by their flight patterns, especially the bonding sessions. Great when software is useful, but fun too!

 

... added a few pics, converted from a few seconds of video fromthe garden last year.

 

Huge thanks to the developers.  Marvelous!

 

Jerry

 

 

 

 

On Monday, February 16, 2026 at 5:18:35 PM UTC Laurinda Luffman wrote:

Hi All

 

My colleague, Malcolm, posted this new science study outlining a video method for detecting nest sites on large buildings.

Conserving urban habitats: Enhanced detection of common swift nests in buildings using a video fusion method - Sandoz - 2026 - Ecological Solutions and Evidence - Wiley Online Library

 

Very cool!

 

L

 

Laurinda Luffman Head of Trusts & Foundations, RSPB Swift species lead

http://laurinda...@rspb.org.uk

07940 724242 (DD) | 01767 680 551 (Sbd)

UK Headquarters The Lodge Sandy Bedfordshire SG19 2DL rspb.org.uk

Protecting habitats, saving species and helping to end the nature and climate emergency. Nature is in crisis. Together we can save it.     The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654.

This email and any attachments may contain material that is confidential, subject to copyright and intended for the addressee only. If you are not the named recipient you must not use, disclose, reproduce, copy or distribute the contents of this communication. If you have received this in error, please contact the sender and then delete this email from your system. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity in England and Wales no. 207076 and in Scotland no. SC037654.

The RSPB is committed to maintaining your data privacy. We promise to keep your details safe and will never sell them on to third parties. To find out more about how we use your information please read our online Privacy Policy:

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[phizo...@gmail.com]

Thanks for posting Laurinda, this is absolutely fascinating. Love the fact that the research has been inspired by Xavi Bou's wonderful work!. Would love to give this a go. Nice pics Jerry...are they video stills stitched together?

Stuart Fear

On Monday, February 16, 2026 at 5:18:35 PM UTC Laurinda Luffman wrote:

[Jerry Horn]

I used the software highlighted in the research paper, Stuart.  Downloaded to the PC then processed a few of my videos from last year.  I’ve been meaning to get Xavi Bou’s book for a while, such great work!  

Jerry

[Stuart Fear]

Ah, interesting...definitely works then, thanks for letting me know. How difficult would you say you found it? Stuart

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[Edward Mayer - Swift Conservation]

Hello! I just had this idea, to equip a small drone with a mobile phone running Merlin, the bird call ID app. Fly the drone over a given set of streets and when it is recovered, see if Merlin has recorded any screaming parties. It might be worth trying out? Sort of extends the reach of observers on foot or in a vehicle. All the best, Edward

On Monday, February 16, 2026 at 5:18:35 PM UTC Laurinda Luffman wrote:

[Jerry Horn]

Hi Edward,

Nice idea.  I have a drone and was thinking of using it this season, but I'd hate to think I was annoying swifts, or any species come to think of it.  There's also a chance of interference from operating swift callers I suppose :)   

Also, I'm not aware of any drones that have noise cancellation of the propellor whine.  Perhaps it would be fun to suspend the phone from a drone with a 10m length* of monofilament to reduce noise (fun, with somebody else's phone).  

Jerry

* likely illegal.