UK SAW 2025 approaches!

[Nick Brown]

Hi again

With just over five weeks until it starts, to date we have only 36 events on the AfS events list for UK SAW 2025.

Please reduce my blood pressure levels and let me know that you are planning to hold something during the nine days of SAW even if the finer details are not yet agreed?

Thanks,

Nick

UK SAW 2025 Coordinator

[Carol Collins]

Hi Nick,

Having organised an evening event for SAW last year and then had all the chicks in my nest die before we got there, I'm a bit loth to put myself in that position again.  I'll wait until we're nearer the date.  Sorry!

Carol.

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[Tony Croft]

Hathern Open Gardens 

28th & 29th June

Hathern Leicestershire

We will be talking about Swifts and encouraging people to put up boxes and look for them around the village...

Best Regards

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[Cally Smith Huntly & District Swift Group]

Hi Nick you have my dates and thank you so much for organising SAW Week once again.

Just an observation recently and in fact over the last few years, there seems to be less going on in the SLN, fewer responses to questions, certainly for me (maybe i ask stupid questions!) and odd that there are so many more groups starting up across the UK and yet fewer individual conversations here.   Have people dropped off?  Just MY feeling - maybe that's why only half the events for SAW?

Cally

[Nick Brown]

Wise move Carol...or lack of it!

Let me know if you do go ahead.

Nick

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[Claire Mead]

Nick,

I'm supporting a Swift walk in Youlgreave (with Ian Wetherley and Erica Fretwell) on 2nd July - Ian was going to contact you, but if he hasn't yet done so, you can add that to your list. 

---

Claire Mead

Derbyshire Dales Swift Project

cm...@derbyshireswiftconservation.co.uk

www.derbyshireswiftconservation.co.uk

Derbyshire Swift Conservation is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.

Registered Charity Number 1206439

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[Nick Brown]

Hi Cally
I have listed your events on AfS blog already don't I?

Not sure re. levels of activity on SLN. It seems pretty busy to me...maybe you are not getting all of them?
You are certainly very active on it and your questions seem pertinent to me anyway.
I am letting Andy Broadhurst take the lead in Derbyshire since he's brilliant and totally focused on swifts whereas I have several other projects on the go.......and after 10 years plugging away on my own before Andy arrived in the county, I think I can happily take more of a back seat.

Re. SAW, I have to chivvy folk every year. I'm still optimistic we'll get 60-70, maybe more....we'll see.

All best

Nick

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[Carol Collins]

Will do,

Carol.

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[Louise Cole, Wimbledon Swifts]

Hello Cally (and others)

I thought I would explain why I am one of the 'silent members' that you have noticed on the SLN. Firstly I am not a 'group' - I am just an individual doing what I can on my own. But mainly the reason is that I haven't been very successful in attracting swifts to nest in my many and varied boxes - and I'm embarrassed to even mention how many years I have been trying to get them now. I don't think there is any obvious reason for my lack of nesting swifts - I haven't spared any expense or effort with my swift boxes - and recently added some soffit boxes and a luxurious internal box. I have played a variety of swift calls over the years. I have seen plenty of nest-seeking behaviour in past summers, when the weather hasn't been poor, but last year was the first year that I've ever seen swifts actually entering my boxes, in late July. I am hoping this means that at least one swift will return to my boxes this year! I think this just shows how reluctant swifts are to take up residence, especially in boxes. Happily, I have managed to establish a nesting pair in my roof, and also in a neighbour's roof. I don't think there are many nesting swifts in my area - I only know of three natural nest sites near my house, probably with just one pair each. 

Another reason for my silence is that there are highly experienced swift experts on SLN and I would always defer to their opinions about swift-related matters. I like to see what the experts say when questions are asked, and I have learned a huge amount about swifts through the network and Mark G's blog. I do what I can to promote swift conservation locally and I am in contact with a few other swift enthusiasts on a personal level.

I hope this explains everything, and I will let you know if I get any swifts in my boxes this year.

Louise

Wimbledon Swifts

[Frances Leach]

Hi Nick,

Here in Hartland, North Devon, we are doing a swift walk at 5.30 pm, starting from the square.

If start time changes I will let you know.

Frannie

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From: swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Carol Collins <carolwc...@gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2025 10:50:16 AM
To: swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [SLN] UK SAW 2025 approaches!

 

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[Nick Brown]

Hi - thanks Frannie but I need a date and just a bit more detail please?
Is it free/is booking required, is there a contact email or website or FB or something?
And a post code for the meeting place would be good too!

Nick

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[Frances Leach]

Oh, crumbs, sorry Nick, Saturday June 28th.

Many thanks for doing this,

Frannie

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Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2025 10:13:56 PM

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[Frances Leach]

My address is: frances....@btconnect.com

Postcode for the square EX39 6BQ

Sorry again! 

Frannie

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[Nick Brown]

Thanks Frannie for the details.

Nick
Ps if others planning events can contact me direct at brown...@gmail.com then that saves everyone in this group from having to read through all the minor details......many thanks.

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[wiganswifts]

Hi Nick,

I'm taking my Stall to the Manchester festival of Nature on the 29th June and to Penningtion flashes festival of Nature on the 6th July.

Best Wishes

Lynn (Wigan Swifts)

[Nick Brown]

Thanks Lynn - I''l email you direct for details etc

Nick

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[Cally Smith]

You do a brilliant job Nick!

Cally

Cally Smith 

Founder of Huntly Swift Group - NES Swifts

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[Nick Brown]

you are too kind Cally

Nick

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[Cally Smith]

Hi Louise and well done for your hard work.  I have also been waiting over four years for swifts to take up my accomodation! 

I am not a big group and the main bulk of the work we do is between two of us.  You certainly don't need to explain yourself either, it is up to each individual as to how much they comment or like to read what goes on.  I am constantly playing catch up and usually reading two weeks after the conversation has been put to bed!   It was merely an observation that in all the years i have been a 'member' the number of people/groups/individuals commenting or starting conversations seems to have dropped (maybe people i remember have left and others joined, there are certainly new members thats for sure).  There is far far more swift work going on across the Uk now to many years ago.   I wonder also if people are getting more involved with the many face book groups that are on the go these days.

Just a thought.  I may just read from now on :)

Cally

Cally Smith 

Founder of Huntly Swift Group - NES Swifts

T: 07411 808573
E: huntlysw...@gmail.com
Facebook/huntlyswiftgroup | Instagram/huntlyswiftgroup

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[Louise Cole, Wimbledon Swifts]

Thanks for you message Cally. I know I have seen other messages querying why there aren't postings from a wider range of members. So this time I thought I should speak up. It is interesting to read about what others are up to, and its very impressive what people manage to achieve, especially at the strategic level with housing associations and councils etc. So please don't stop posting yourself! My council have included swift conservation measures in their local plan, but whether they implement their requirements I am dubious about. I know there's a lot of activity on swift matters on Facebook, and I have recently forced myself to open an account just for that reason - but I haven't explored it properly yet. Supposedly Facebook is mostly used by older people - so my children say!

Louise

[Cally Smith]

Thanks Louise and sounds like you are doing some great work with your council :)  It is so interesting to read other people's thoughts on swifty matters and i do think the SLN is of great importance, i know there is a lot of support there especially also in the SLN Library.  FB is fine so long as the correct information goes around!

Keep up the good work :)

Best wishes

Cally

Cally Smith 

Founder of Huntly Swift Group - NES Swifts

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E: huntlysw...@gmail.com
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[Louise Cole, Wimbledon Swifts]

Hello Cally and others,

Just to let you know that 2025 has, so far, has been by far the best year for my swift boxes than all previous years. I have what appears to be a nesting pair, plus other swifts entering some of my boxes - roosting even. These boxes are Schwegler 17B boxes, and they have been up for years, in a shady position. I noticed this activity at the start of June, so I presume they are two-year-old swifts. I wondered whether the success this year has been due to fact that I fitted swift nest cups last spring in these boxes, when we had scaffolding up. I had to stick the cups in in two halves, so as to get them through the access hole. Or maybe it has been the effect of varying the swift calls I have been playing. Anyway, I am so pleased to be able to report the success this year, and encourage anyone else struggling to get swifts in boxes, to persevere!

Best wishes,

Louise

[Louise at Bolton and Bury Swifts]

Hi Louise,

What brilliant news! I think its likely to be your calls that attracted them to investigate the boxes but I'm sure they like the new nest moulds too!

All the best,

Louise 

Bolton and Bury Swifts 

https://www.facebook.com/BoltonAndBurySwifts

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Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2025 5:10:48 PM
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Subject: Re: [SLN] Re: To Cally and others

 

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[Tony Croft]

We've got "bangers" too....About 6 birds coming first thing in the morning and also early evening when the "called" is on.  They've just approached and vered away so far but at least we've had interest and there are more birds around generally.....💕👍

Best Regards
Tony


   

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[Cally Smith]

This is fabulous news Louise!!!  Well done for persevering, they really can take their time :) 

I too have some great news, i have tried for four years to get occupancy in my boxes and this year i have a breeding pair inside!!  It is also a box with camera already installed so even better i can see them on my monitor indoors.  I am SO HAPPY!!!!!!!

Cally

Cally Smith 

Founder of Huntly Swift Group - NES Swifts

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[Cally Smith]

Excellent news Tony!!!  I am so happy for you as you were missing them terribly and understandably so.  May it continue

Cally X

Cally Smith 

Founder of Huntly Swift Group - NES Swifts

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