Re: [SLN] Digest for swiftslocalnetwork@googlegroups.com - 8 updates in 5 topics

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Clair Amos

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Jun 25, 2026, 4:03:47 AM (8 days ago) Jun 25
to swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com
Hi Lauren 

I did this a couple of years ago and set up swift friends wyre forest if you want to email me at clairam...@hotmail.co.uk happy to chat but I expect there will be lots of advice from more established groups 
From: swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: 25 June 2026 06:58
To: Digest recipients <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [SLN] Digest for swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com - 8 updates in 5 topics
 
SavetheSwiftsLittleover <savetheswif...@gmail.com>: Jun 24 06:12PM +0100

Hi everyone,
 
Very new to Swift conservation here. I have a passion and desire to play
a part in helping these incredible birds.
 
Any helpful hints and tips when you first started to raise awareness and
drive Swift conservation efforts in your local area and how you managed to
set up a local group for your area will be greatly appreciated.
 
Lauren
 
*Save the Swifts Littleover *
*savetheswif...@gmail.com <savetheswif...@gmail.com>*
T Davies <talya...@googlemail.com>: Jun 24 07:20PM +0100

Doing a local swift walk during Swift Awareness Week and advertising it and
taking people's emails when they attend is a great start and got me in
touch with two people locally who have had swifts in their roofs for years
and always loved them. We now have a WhatsApp group where we all chat about
how our swifts are doing. It's so nice to no longer feel like the only
swift lover in the village!
 
On Wednesday, 24 June 2026, SavetheSwiftsLittleover <
Sarah Davis <sarahesw...@gmail.com>: Jun 24 06:32PM +0100

Keep fighting Annie and Barry.
A tragic case that could have so easily been prevented at so many points.
This is also a perfect case to show the UK this law is not fit for purpose
, to highlight where police , councils even ecologists fail . The lack of
knowledge on how Swifts nests from ecologists , vets, and police wildlife
crimes units , is staggering . You would think at the very least these
professions should be educated in it.
 
An ecologist doing a one off quick visit to nest sites , a wildlife crimes
officer claiming that evidence that nests were there , or witnessing the
crime has to be from EXPERT's in their field, whoever they are, is just a
joke. As for Surrey Police not responding to any of the many who reported
the crime at the beginning, and then referring it to the RURAL Crimes Unit,
and not the WILDLIFE Crimes Unit, just leaves us speechless. No wonder the
RURAL team did not think it a problem , they went to the wrong Unit!
 
I think if we are to change the tide on Wildlife crimes (for Swifts
anyway), the law needs challenging, as it is not fit for purpose to protect
these birds and to enable prosecution.
Certain professions need education on Swifts , their behaviour and how
they nest etc. Apologies to anyone reading who are in these professions,
we know that a few have learnt about Swifts, but the majority seem not too.
When we saved a colony of Swifts in Godalming , Surrey , where a whole
housing estate was being demolished. When I enquired what their provision
was for the Swifts, they said 'What Swifts' ! There happens to be a very
large long standing colony of Swifts on the estate since the 1930's, They
said they had an ecologist inspect and there were no Swifts! I asked when
the ecologist inspected, they said in November ! I rest my case.
Then started a campaign and project that lasted two years, as i gathered
evidence , that the Swifts were there, not easy as you can imagine , but
with the help of Surrey Bird Club using amazing cameras to almost peer into
broken pointing where nests where and the wonderful Reigate Swifts who were
able to help take photos of the flying colony's over the rooftops and
survey all the nests and Hampshire Swifts helping me advise of where best
to place Swift bricks in new builds , the campaign was taken on and a lot
of of hard work later we saved that colony of swifts and years later they
are still there. It's not for the faint hearted , and it should not be that
way !
 
Why should we as volunteers work so hard to try and protect a red listed
bird, when people who are paid to do their job are not doing it properly !
It's time to call them all out! Every single time.
Keep going Annie and Barry. Let me know if I can ever be of help.
 
BW
Sarah Davis
Guildford Swift Project
 
 
Ailsa Wish <ailsa...@gmail.com>: Jun 24 11:56AM +0100

Dear All,
i have been reading the sad saga of the Dorking Swifts and feel unable to
add anything useful but would like to express my admiration for the battle.
It seems to me that the current laws and by-laws seem to be unfit for
purpose should be replaced by a new law specifically for house nesting
birds that is clear and enforceable;
 
'Do not block sites or put up scaffolding April - Sept. Out of season, make
good any loss of nest sites by installing swift bricks.'
This seems a pipe dream in current times so one must pray for greater
public awareness and common sense with positives about what can be done by
individuals and groups.
Local and regional planning departments are the people who set the
conditions and permissions and so must be the ones to be held accountable.
Having seen what happens in Lincolnshire when protected trees are felled,
planning and building regulations are flagrantly ignored too simply
because there is 'insufficient funding' to pursue cases through the
courts,thus the enforcement officers need a bigger budget.
In my experience locally, it does come down to individuals who care, to
oppose developments that would disregard ecological needs. We do have to
utilise the local planning portal, and private individuals do have to drill
down into law themselves and point out to the authorities things they
should know, with evidence and turn to requesting freedom of information
when something smells rotten.
 
Best wishes
Ailsa Wish
(Caistor Swifts)
 
Edward Mayer <edward...@zen.co.uk>: Jun 24 03:19PM +0100

How about just trying to improve the chick's access so they can emerge
more easily???
 
Gill Stacey <gillian....@btinternet.com>: Jun 24 08:48AM +0100

Hi Nick and Peta
 
A bit late in the day, but we have a swift walk here in Stroud. Details attached:
 
https://www.stroudvalleysproject.org/events/swift-walk?fbclid=IwY2xjawSoanRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEent4bQa7ZxBexgvYTcFwIZ4bF72XWAaaWQ_dHsMCUGa_avtn9utXtpStu4UQ_aem_kkH8uuqz8MtcYgapZ2xjfQ
 
Many thanks
 
 
Gill
 
Stroud Swift Group
 
Nick Brown <brown...@gmail.com>: Jun 24 09:05AM +0100

Hi Gill
Should be but you will have to complete the registration form - it only
takes 5 minutes?
Here's the link:
 
*https://tinyurl.com/SAW 2026 event registration
<https://tinyurl.com/SAW2026eventregistration> .Best*
 
 
*Nick*
On Wed, 24 Jun 2026 at 08:48, 'Gill Stacey' via swiftslocalnetwork <
Cally Smith <huntlysw...@gmail.com>: Jun 24 09:01AM +0100

Thanks Laurinda it is indeed a struggle at every level. We must share
these things as we can all learn how best to approach.
Sorry to hear about your Mother and hope she is on the mend X
 
Cally Smith
*Founder of NES Swifts* (formerly Huntly Swift Group)
 
T: 07411 808 573
E: huntlysw...@gmail.com
Facebook/huntlyswiftgroup | Instagram/huntlyswiftgroup
 
 
*Why not sign up for our free emailed quarterly 'Saving the Aviators'
newsletter. Get in touch!*
 
 
*Please note: I do not keep 9-5 hours Mon-Fri, I work around the clock most
days! I don't expect you to read, respond or action my email outside your
normal working day. Thank you!*
 
 
 
 
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On Tue, 23 Jun 2026 at 16:20, 'Laurinda Luffman' via swiftslocalnetwork <
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