Re: [SLN] Digest for swiftslocalnetwork@googlegroups.com - 2 updates in 2 topics

[DD Muir]

Hi Cally

We have had a fair bit of success with Hillcrest over the years so it would be worth trying them if they are in the NE.

Danièle Muir 

Tayside Swifts 

Yahoo Mail: Search, organise, conquer

On Sun, 5 Oct 2025 at 7:58, swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com

<swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com

Google Groups

Topic digest
View all topics

• The Autumn edition of the RSPB magazine.... - 1 Update
• Housing Associations - 1 Update

The Autumn edition of the RSPB magazine....

Edward Mayer <edward...@zen.co.uk>: Oct 04 10:08AM +0100 has a lot about Swifts in it! A very good thing to see! All the best, Edward

Back to top

Housing Associations

Louise at Bolton and Bury Swifts <super...@outlook.com>: Oct 04 08:05AM Hi Alistair/Cally & All,   On the points you raised Alistair;   Tanya and Edmund in Sedbergh successfully required Swift Bricks to be included on a new estate in Sedbergh, Cumbria. The builders chose Manthorpes, they have only been in a couple of years at most and without any calls have had occupation by Swifts this summer!   Re Housing Associations many seem to have a policy/requirement to, 'Add social value' when they are spending money on renovations. It is through this that I have been successful in getting some Swift Boxes installed on a few schemes locally. I highly recommend making connections with local Housing Associations, whether or not their properties currently house Swifts AND especially if they do!   Be great to hear of others successes with Housing Associations.   Best Wishes Louise   Bolton and Bury Swifts https://www.facebook.com/BoltonAndBurySwifts   [signatureImage] ________________________________ From: swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Cally Smith <huntlysw...@gmail.com> Sent: Friday, October 3, 2025 8:02:17 PM To: swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com> Subject: Re: [SLN] Re: Building Research Establishment   Indeed Alistair   I know some swift groups have worked closely with Housing Associations, for me its just another job i haven't managed to get to. Sure some will respond here. It's definitely another angle. Cally   Cally Smith Founder of NES Swifts (formerly Huntly Swift Group)   T: 07411 808 573 E: huntlysw...@gmail.com<mailto:huntlyswiftgroup@gmail.com> Facebook/huntlyswiftgroup | Instagram/huntlyswiftgroup     Why not sign up for our free emailed quarterly 'Saving the Aviators' newsletter. Get in touch!     On Fri, 3 Oct 2025 at 17:57, alofanglia <alis...@alofanglia.plus.com<mailto:alistair@alofanglia.plus.com>> wrote: Maybe some examples which shows existing swifts don’t need to be around to ask for swift boxes in new builds as they will find them. I think the current logic of planning is if species are not there then don’t need to provide for them….. The other thing is I wondered if housing associations have meetings as again installing boxes enhances the environment for the humans and they could be targeted…..   Alistair Kingsteignton Swifrs   Sent from my iPhone   On 3 Oct 2025, at 11:48, Cally Smith Huntly & District Swift Group <huntlysw...@gmail.com<mailto:huntlyswiftgroup@gmail.com>> wrote:   Thanks Mike Maybe another round robin of letters to ecologists is needed by us all? I did this a good number of years ago in our area but no response. Won't like being advised i guess. Seed sowed maybe if nothing else! Cheers Cally   On Friday, October 3, 2025 at 8:57:48 AM UTC+1 Mike Priaulx wrote: Hi Cally/ Paul/ all,   Regarding BRE, I'm very familiar with them as in my proper job I've been doing BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) assessments for over 20 years.   Swift bricks are supported by BREEAM and have been since the 1990s, and also by the now defunct (due to the 2015 government) counterpart assessment Code for Sustainable Homes,   and many hundreds if not thousands have been installed as a result of these assessments over these decades (and suitable installation has to be proven at post-construction stage too).   However, BRE do rely on ecologists to provide good advice which relates to Alistair's point.   My templates for contacting ecologists are in the SLN library and I believe the quality of output regarding "universal" bricks rather than sparrow terraces & other boxes in particular is improving, but there's still progress to make.   NB Note that I think we have to accept ecologists will only undertake surveys when a developer or other party pays them to do so, regardless of the time of year - however it's important that they word their report to reflect what they will see at that time of year and what they won't, and also the significant limitations of a short survey even during breeding season.   Our Swifts & Planning group provides planning advice at swifts....@gmail.com !   All the best, Mike   Member of SLN Swifts & Planning Group   +++   Cally Smith Huntly & District Swift Group <huntlysw...@gmail.com>: Oct 01 12:48PM -0700   Very disappointing. The knowledge gap on swifts needs and habits is enormous and there seem to be more organisations with no clue or care. How on earth do we address this, it seems almost impossible sometimes. Cally   On Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 12:19:05 PM UTC+1 paul.dubery wrote:       -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "swiftslocalnetwork" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to swiftslocalnetw...@googlegroups.com<mailto:swiftslocalnetwork+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com>. To view this discussion, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/swiftslocalnetwork/9ebf6de4-64cd-4818-a483-84eac2b11059n%40googlegroups.com<https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/swiftslocalnetwork/9ebf6de4-64cd-4818-a483-84eac2b11059n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.   -- You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the Google Groups "swiftslocalnetwork" group. To unsubscribe from this topic, visit https://groups.google.com/d/topic/swiftslocalnetwork/AfHLjuEXBr0/unsubscribe. To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to swiftslocalnetw...@googlegroups.com<mailto:swiftslocalnetwork+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com>. To view this discussion, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/swiftslocalnetwork/7B0E8305-FBCD-43FD-869A-222F8D3DF8ED%40alofanglia.plus.com<https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/swiftslocalnetwork/7B0E8305-FBCD-43FD-869A-222F8D3DF8ED%40alofanglia.plus.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.   -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "swiftslocalnetwork" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to swiftslocalnetw...@googlegroups.com<mailto:swiftslocalnetwork+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com>. To view this discussion, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/swiftslocalnetwork/CAFA%2BN84tBHz2%3D%3D_KWvMM9yD2%3DZb%2B3Fq6C57wVvTZZaDBf4XCCQ%40mail.gmail.com<https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/swiftslocalnetwork/CAFA%2BN84tBHz2%3D%3D_KWvMM9yD2%3DZb%2B3Fq6C57wVvTZZaDBf4XCCQ%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>.

Back to top

You have received this digest because you're subscribed to updates for this group. You can change your settings on the group membership page. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it send an email to swiftslocalnetw...@googlegroups.com.

[Banstead Swifts]

Housing Associations

Hello Alistair, Louise, all

We have been working with Raven Housing Trust in Surrey  since 2019 for the Banstead Swift Colony. At the start it was hard, and it took a lot of persistence (but I am good at that).

 They do indeed have funds that are ring fenced for community/environmental good. Swift boxes and bricks fit into that. HAs also like and need good PR stories to share, so swift conservation is a nice story for them to share and you can sell that part to them too. They made a short film made on our work that was shared on this group, which I think remains on their RHT LinkedIn account. You can look at our FB page for updates on their work with us in the past.

We currently have 19 nest sites in the colony with 12 swift nest boxes (6 twins). Swift bricks are due to be installed between now and next spring. 

I would say that communication goes from being brilliant to poor at times, but things have gotten done and we appreciate their commitment. 

I agree with Louise, approaching each HT would be worthwhile. Many have very large housing stock and this enables some big gains in swift conservation and provision of bricks or nest boxes, once they are engaged.

Best

Annie and Barry

Banstead Swifts

Surrey