Conservation leaflet

[Mike Priaulx]

Hi Helen/ all,

This leaflet for communities is a great idea.

On the subject of letting householders know about nest sites in their homes, I have been putting a flyer through the door where I see nest sites (usually on the Swift Awareness Week walks) for a few years now and there's yet to be anyone intentionally block a nest site, that I know of, and several replies back from interested residents.

Two examples of cases where residents had roof extensions and were not informed of nest sites, although neighbours did know -

in one case we found out too late so we could only install boxes, and another the resident was told as the scaffolders arrived. The latter did delay the works and even fitted an integrated box in the eaves, but it cost them a significant amount of money to delay the works with that notice.

In both cases the residents were unaware of the nesting birds, and said they would have taken care of the site if they had known.

So from my experience I try to drop a flyer through to nest sites every year if I have time.

It's just a simple black and white flyer as I've shared here before, although in Hackney one member has made a much smarter one similar to Helen's and kindly posted them all which was helpful (via bike, the best way to do it for a large borough of nearly half a million people!).

All the best,

Mike

Islington and Hackney Swifts Groups

+++

Conservation leaflet

Helen Lucy <hmll...@gmail.com>: Feb 28 04:58PM

Dear all,

Over the last couple of years I’ve had the conversation with many of you about taking the risk of telling people they have Swifts nesting. The fear is that some residents may then take action to block the Swifts’ return.

My idea, is inspired by Karl Green’s idea to create a Swift Conservation Area on the West Estate in Warrington working with Cheshire Wildlife Trust. By telling people they live in an area where Swifts nest, you are alerting everyone to the needs and perils of their local Swifts, without actually pinpointing the exact house they nest in. This way, awareness is raised and sympathetic people will take note.

Unfortunately, when I tried to do the same for my local swift hotspot estate, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust weren’t interested. So after thinking a bit more about it, I thought there’s nothing to stop me calling it a Swift Conservation Area anyway! Here’s the A4 folded to A5 flyer that I’ve produced.

It is very specific to my local project, but I have adapted it for Bolton and Bury Swifts, Totley Swifts in Sheffield and Derbyshire Swift Conservation have made their own version too. For example, Totley can’t offer free boxes, but want to advertise the possibility of fitting swift bricks, so those changes were made.

If any of you think this fits your area’s needs, email me directly on HELP....@GMAIL.COM <mailto:HELP....@GMAIL.COM> to tell me how you would like to tailor it and I’ll see what I can do.

Best wishes

Helen Lucy.



[Louise at Bolton and Bury Swifts]

The "Swift Conservation Area" leaflets are really delightful as are the Swift booklets and the whole range Helen Lucy has designed!

I'd just like to say Thank You to Helen and to Action for Swifts for funding the printing of leaflets for Swift Groups.

Best Wishes,

Louise

 

     

 

Bolton & Bury Swifts

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From: 'Mike Priaulx' via swiftslocalnetwork <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 29, 2026 1:45:12 PM
To: Digest recipients <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [SLN] Conservation leaflet

 

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