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

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Helen Harwood

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May 23, 2026, 9:08:55 AMMay 23
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Dear Amanda,
It depends what your concern is. Having looked it up, I would be concerned about whether it might be illegally logged and whether its use threatens tropical forests (it comes from West Africa).
I looked up teak here
 and it says 
Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, but is on the IUCN Red List. While Milicia excelsa is only listed as near threatened, M. regia is listed as vulnerable due to a population reduction of over 20% in the past three generations, caused by a decline in its natural range, and exploitation.

As an alternative, what about western red cedar? It is used for bee hives, is light and durable. I believe larch is also good, also doesn't need treating and is even grown in the UK.
Hope this helps,
Helen Harwood,
CamSwift

On Sat, May 23, 2026 at 7:58 AM <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
Banstead Swifts <banstea...@gmail.com>: May 22 10:12PM +0100

A neighbour at 80 Pound Road showed us this anonymous letter that she
received via Royal Mail, numbered but without her name..
 
We do not know how many homes received these, but we did not receive one.
 
This seems targeted after the Nest 1 issue.
 
We have reported it to Surrey Police but they are useless.
 
It is clearly malicious with misinfirmation and intended to cause fear and
panic. The target is to get nest boxes removed.
 
Any suggestions?
Helen Lucy <hmll...@gmail.com>: May 23 07:11AM +0100

How many flats are there? I think I would deliver a counter-attack letter,
explaining that the claims in the first letter were ridiculous, reassuring
residents that they weren’t all about to die and enclosing a leaflet
explaining why swifts/birds need our help.
So sorry you are having to deal with such awful negativity. Good luck with
it. Helen.
On Fri, 22 May 2026 at 22:12, Banstead Swifts <banstea...@gmail.com>
wrote:
 
Edward Mayer <edward...@zen.co.uk>: May 22 09:56AM +0100

One has to note amidst all this excellent activity that here in London
we have no Wildlife Crime officers at all. The Metropolitan Police got
rid of their Wildlife Crime team about two years ago. In effect this is
far far worse than it seems as it means they can do little about the
illegal import / export of protected species any more. They have no
specialised advice givers to fall back on. So ivory, rhino horn, spotted
cat skins, can travel unimpeded, one assumes. And one of their last
really big cases was illegal dog-fighting. They broke up a huge
dog-fighting network, with big money involved in betting. Again one has
to assume it's thriving again. As for any other sort of crime, well, a
friend of mine was attacked in his home and beaten badly by a neighbour
incensed at him parking outside his house in the street outside. The
Police refused to take any action other than talking to the man. Broken
Britain indeed.
 
Flora Blackwater <blackwa...@gmail.com>: May 22 05:29PM +0100

Hi Edward
 
There are no dedicated officers either here in South Yorkshire. It was explained to me that Officers can put themselves forward for wildlife training, so it is at the mercy of interested parties.
 
Could this be the case in the Met too? Unless they veto the training, given the size of the force, maybe there are some somewhere.
 
I'll ask an RSPB investigator that I know.
 
Best wishes
 
Flora, Sheffield
 
Sent from my iPhone
 
On 22 May 2026, at 09:56, 'Edward Mayer' via swiftslocalnetwork <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
 

 
One has to note amidst all this excellent activity that here in London we have no Wildlife Crime officers at all. The Metropolitan Police got rid of their Wildlife Crime team about two years ago. In effect this is far far worse than it seems as it means they can do little about the illegal import / export of protected species any more. They have no specialised advice givers to fall back on. So ivory, rhino horn, spotted cat skins, can travel unimpeded, one assumes. And one of their last really big cases was illegal dog-fighting. They broke up a huge dog-fighting network, with big money involved in betting. Again one has to assume it's thriving again. As for any other sort of crime, well, a friend of mine was attacked in his home and beaten badly by a neighbour incensed at him parking outside his house in the street outside. The Police refused to take any action other than talking to the man. Broken Britain indeed.
 
On 22-May-26 7:58 AM, swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com wrote:
 
swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com Google Groups logo Google Groups
 
Topic digest
 
View all topics
 
Swift crimes and Nest 1. - 2 Updates
 
Call and response survey method - a short guide - 1 Update
 
Swift boxes for small chain of hotels - 1 Update
 
More Swift Crime, now Clarion Housing in Sussex - 3 Updates
 
Swift crimes and Nest 1.
 
Banstead Swifts <banstea...@gmail.com>: May 21 10:59PM +0100
 
Dear all
 
We received an email from the Surrey Police review officer last night
 
telling us that the wildlife officer had not even looked at her report from
 
Saturday. We reported the incident on 14/05. She apologised and has now
 
marked it as urgent and has also emailed. She is not the problem.
 
Incidentally, we'd had a wildlife officer from another police force contact
 
us confidentially prior to the 14th advising us to report the incident
 
urgently. So it is curious that Surrey are dragging their feet if this
 
officer felt it so worthy.
 
We will still be pushing for the Police and CPS to prosecute regardless of
 
the fact that both birds have now returned, after 3 and 4 days of being
 
absent.
 
If they do not, we will ask for the written reasons and take further legal
 
advice from the organisation that offered us this and see what the options
 
are.
 
Our MP is arranging to meet with the Chief Supt of Surrey Police and is
 
requesting the building surveys from RHT, which should have been carried
 
out prior any such works.
 
Barry and I have experience in campaigning and of taking a case to the High
 
Court for judicial review, with a large NGO representing me.
 
It was at least good to see that Clarion Housing responded quickly to
 
Burgess Hill Swifts, but it still begs the question: where was the building
 
survey?
 
Best regards
 
Ann Dowling <annie.d...@gmail.com>: May 21 11:54PM +0100
 
So well done, best of luck
 
Ann
 
Wilbarston Swifts
 
On Thu, 21 May 2026, 23:00 Banstead Swifts, <banstea...@gmail.com>
 
wrote:
 
Back to top
 
Call and response survey method - a short guide
 
Storrington Swifts <storring...@gmail.com>: May 21 05:01PM +0100
 
Hi Graham,
 
Thanks very much for this. I'd be wanting to find something giving an
 
overview the approach.
 
Julie
 
Back to top
 
Swift boxes for small chain of hotels
 
Storrington Swifts <storring...@gmail.com>: May 21 01:09PM +0100
 
We are close to Horsham. I will forward it to Dave Boddington and Paul
 
Stevens in case they haven't seen it.
 
Julie
 
Central Arun Valley Swifts and HMs.
 
On Wed, 20 May 2026 at 12:14, swifts&housemartins of Ware <
 
Back to top
 
More Swift Crime, now Clarion Housing in Sussex
 
Banstead Swifts <banstea...@gmail.com>: May 21 08:09AM +0100
 
Hi All
 
1. Don't wonder why swift numbers are free falling.
 
This time it is Clarion Housing in Burgess Hill Sussex.
 
They are closing eaves and the swifts nests are in them.
 
See the screenshot.
 
I do not know if this group are members here? I have commented on their
 
page with information.
 
2. Our Surey Police review officer emailed an apology last night: nobody
 
from the Wildlife and Rural Crime desk has even looked at the report on
 
nest 1 re: Raven Housing Trust. She has now flagged it as urgent and
 
emailed them. She is great, the rest has been an appallling process.
 
Reported as a wildlife crime in action on 14/05
 
This has to stop.
 
Best
 
Annie & Barry
 
Graham Knight <gpk...@gmail.com>: May 21 08:11AM +0100
 
Hello Annie and all
 
I have emailed a contact that I have at Clarion, suggesting various urgent
 
actions including contacting the local Swift group
 
Best wishes
 
Graham
 
On Thu, 21 May 2026 at 08:09, Banstead Swifts <banstea...@gmail.com>
 
wrote:
 
becky <be...@actionforswifts.com>: May 21 03:07AM -0700
 
Hi folks
 
Seeing a lot of this at the moment. At AFS we have a contact who heads up
 
the voluntary Housing Association(HA) Biodiversity Network. She has been in
 
touch directly with the Sustainability lead at Clarion, who was unaware of
 
this and has taken action internally. Fingers crossed!
 
We have discussed the requirement for some more awareness raising around
 
this issue with HA's and she has asked for a brief guidance note / document
 
that can be circulated around the members (c 60 HA's in UK). We can of
 
course produce something fresh for this, but I wondered if there was
 
anything out there that had already been produced for this audience?
 
Thanks
 
Becky
 
Back to top
 
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T Davies <talya...@googlemail.com>: May 22 08:59PM +0100

Hi Flora,
 
The Met Wildlife Crime Unit was deliberately disbanded despite our
protests, and officers deployed elsewhere. It was distressing for the
officers as well as for us. Just before it was disbanded, a really great
Wildlife Officer had helped us by making scaffolders take down a
scaffolding that was blocking a nest here. The swifts were immediately able
to access the nest.
Before contacting the Wildlife Crime Unit I had rung 101 and was advised
erroneously by someone who answered that the scaffolding took precedence
over the swifts and nothing could be done by police and I should contact
the council.
A large part of the Wildlife Crime Unit's job had been training the call
handlers at 101 but it hadn't seemed to have reached this person!
This year scaffolding went up again and the council helped us by contacting
the owners and making sure there was access to the nest for when the Swifts
returned, but last year roofing work had happened during the season on that
nest I think from the inside, and this year I have seen no Swifts at that
nest.
 
Talya
Brent and Westminster Swifts
 
On Fri, 22 May 2026 at 17:29, Flora Blackwater <blackwa...@gmail.com>
wrote:
 
Banstead Swifts <banstea...@gmail.com>: May 22 04:22PM +0100

We have submitted three requests today:
 
1. Surrey Police
2. The Ministry of Justice
3. The Home Office
 
It was decided that these three would be the best way to source who
collects and keeps all or some of the swift data.
 
Our request:
 
Dear Home Office,
 
We would be most grateful if you could help us with the following
information:
 
1. Please provide the number of wildlife crimes that have been reported
involving the swift, apus apus over the past 8 years and also how many of
those reported were logged as a wildlife crime.
2. Of those incidents reported, please provide the following breakdown:
a. How many were attended in person?
b. How many were resolved on site with discussion and advice?
c. How many resulted in information and advice on the Countryside and
Wildlife Act 1981 and Schedule 1 species?
d. How many resulted in a prosecution?
 
We thank you for your attention to this matter.
 
Yours faithfully,
 
Banstead Swifts
Banstead, Surrey, SM7
 
Swifts and the Countryside and Wildlife Act 1981 - a Freedom of Information
request to Home Office - WhatDoTheyKnow
<https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/swifts_and_the_countryside_and_w_3>
 
 
Swifts and the Countryside and Wildlife Act 1981 - a Freedom of Information
request to Ministry of Justice - WhatDoTheyKnow
<https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/swifts_and_the_countryside_and_w_2>
 
 
Swifts and the Countryside and Wildlife Act 1981 - a Freedom of Information
request to Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner - WhatDoTheyKnow
<https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/swifts_and_the_countryside_and_w#incoming-3426330>
 
 
Best regards
 
Annie & Barry
 
Banstead Swifts
Amanda Randall <a.l.ran...@gmail.com>: May 22 10:12AM +0100

Hi,
 
The carpenter who has made the nest boxes for our swift project previously
used marine ply. He is concerned that supplies are becoming less reliable,
quality-wise, and is proposing to make our next set of boxes using Iroko
hardwood, aka African Teak. To quote him, he says that "Iroko hardwood ...
is an excellent, highly durable choice for exterior use, often called
"African Teak" due to its stability, oily nature, and high resistance to
rot, decay, and insects. It is commonly used for exterior cladding,
decking, gates, garden furniture, bird tables and boxes."
 
Does anyone know of any reason why this may NOT be a suitable material for
swift boxes?
 
Thank you
Amanda
Harbury Swift Project
Peta Sams <peta...@btinternet.com>: May 22 12:12AM -0700

I think this is something that the SLN planning group could put together in
the same way as the Vet leaflet. I guess we haven’t done so as trying to
find a way into the HAs isn’t easy but if Becky has a name then that’s
good.
I expect some swift groups may already have such a leaflet that we could
use as a starting point and if so perhaps you could email it to me.
Peta
On Thursday, 21 May 2026 at 11:07:48 UTC+1 becky wrote:
 
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Heidi Collishaw

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May 23, 2026, 1:20:51 PMMay 23
to swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com
Re concerns about teak; I agree with Helen's comments, about suitable alternatives. I use western red cedar beehives; they're serviceable for many years despite being knocked about (literally) and being exposed to extremes of weather.  And as a rule of thumb I try to purchase products from short supply chains whenever possible because long supply chains are harder to scrutinize, making wildlife and environmental crime, labour abuses etc easier.  So a UK grown wood seems preferable.

Re health risks posed by nesting birds; it's worth remembering that humans pose the greatest health risk to other humans, including because of climate change, and because many health threats are within human  (not necessarily individuals') control (diet, smoking etc) as opposed to genetics.  So the complaint about the health hazards of birds nests seems like a bit of a smoke screen....maybe it's the local Tidy Brigade at work....

I am very impressed by all the work going on in the network ATM. It's heartening to know there are so many people out there who are willing to inconvenience themselves on behalf of swifts and other wildlife. What a lovely bunch of people the swift network are/is! 

Heidi (Westow north Yorks, where the swifts are very active and vocal today).

To view this discussion, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/swiftslocalnetwork/CANL-eEhCqDptJaH6neJN2DxgkdPazN6VwToo3bN-ndCArQ8mVg%40mail.gmail.com.

Amanda Randall

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May 26, 2026, 12:07:40 PMMay 26
to swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com
Many thanks, Helen.
A useful website too.

Amanda 

On Sat, 23 May 2026, 14:08 Helen Harwood, <helensshel...@gmail.com> wrote:
To view this discussion, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/swiftslocalnetwork/CANL-eEhCqDptJaH6neJN2DxgkdPazN6VwToo3bN-ndCArQ8mVg%40mail.gmail.com.

Julie Cowley

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Jun 3, 2026, 9:28:43 AM (10 days ago) Jun 3
to swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com
Dear all
From my experience with the loss of 4 swift nest sites due to a re-roofing project last year it is vital that we make sure our county records offices have all of our house nesting bird records annually.  The LNRS refers to these records and so should the planning department of any county council.  I am trying to get Shropshire building control to also screen for house nesting birds alongside bats.  It is an onerous task - SwiftMapper, House Martin Conservation app, BirdTrack, plus our records office is talking of iRecord, as well as their current system of an Excel spreadsheet - but well worth it when you can say categorically it is a known nest site and therefore a precautionary approach should be adopted.  Housing Associations can also ask for the data and ought to when planning their maintenance work.  

I have to add that I did have the site last year recorded with the country records office but it made not a jot of difference at the time.  However, it is the first question our wildlife crime officer now asks me - how do you know? - and I can reply with confidence.

Julie
Swifts in the Strettons project

On Wed, 3 Jun 2026 at 07:58, <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
Banstead Swifts <banstea...@gmail.com>: Jun 03 07:24AM +0100

Boom. I couldn't share earlier but Sandra made contact on the morning of
the press release.
 
 
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/03/noted-surrey-colony-of-at-risk-swifts-destroyed-during-nesting-season?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Edward Mayer <edward...@zen.co.uk>: Jun 02 09:12AM +0100

Hi Ron, you can buy the MP3 version of the (correct) Swift calls for £2
off my website, and a CD for £7, all with full instructions. The website
is www.swift-conservation.org - go to the "Shopping" page. Best wishes,
Edward
 
Tony Croft <the.cro...@gmail.com>: Jun 02 06:51PM +0100

Hi Edward
 
I'm using the default calls that came with my Peak Boxes caller..are you
aware of these? If so, are they suitable to draw in new nesting
prospecting birds as we've lost our entire colony of 7 boxes with no
returns for 4 years ! So very sad....
 
 
Best Regards
Tony
 
On Tue, 2 Jun 2026, 09:12 'Edward Mayer' via swiftslocalnetwork, <
Banstead Swifts <banstea...@gmail.com>: Jun 03 07:06AM +0100

RE: National Wildlife Crime Unit and sources to report wildlife crime
 
Hello Julie
 
Unfortunately the unit have no contact with the general public at all terms
of reporting or initiating an investigation. We must apparently report it
to our regional Police who promptly appear to ignore the reports on a
wholesale level.
 
Their email system is even set up to only accept enquiries from the Police
forces, essentially registered. There is no way to contact them as a member
if the general public at all. Everything has been done to shut down options.
 
We are really 'stitched up' in every way.
 
Here are some other lines:
 
RSPCA: will only investigate crimes where an animal is dead or
sufffering...believe it or not Surrey Police were telling us to call the
RSPCA yesterday, knowing full well they will not assist.
 
RSPCA suggested Natural England, but that is mis-directed.
 
Many of the general public think you can call the Police, RSPCA, RSPB and
wildlife crime will be stopped immediately.
 
You can't blame them either as 1. it is association but 2. they are
constantly told by governments that there are avenues of help, you must
follow them...and yet the avenue is called Delay, Deny and Gaslight Avenue,
not Justice Avenue.
 
I think many human conditions in society are treated the same way now too.
They say there is support and accountability, releatedly, but there is not.
 
Meanwhile, want to commit a wildlife crime? Housing developer/HA with
government contacts? Feel free not to worry at all!
 
Kindest
Annie
 
Tony Croft <the.cro...@gmail.com>: Jun 02 05:25PM +0100

I'm using the ones that came with the Peak Boxes caller...does anyone know
if these are okay?
 
 
Best Regards
 
Tony
 
Hythe Scream <hythe...@gmail.com>: Jun 02 11:26PM +0100

Hopefully Edward will elucidate on this issue shortly.
It made me think, because we all use sounds from different sources, but we
don't speak "swift". Some of the sounds could mean "watch out there's a
peregrine just around the corner". If it's known how to translate some of
these calls, then we should get this right. Lives are at risk! We now know
why the swift population has been in decline, so everything we do to
improve it should be carried out to the best of our ability.
I had seen no swifts in my area for ten years. An hour after playing
their sounds, they were in my garden at head height. That's how important
it is to get this right. We don't want to attract them just to join the
party though, we want them to be attracted to empty boxes and to make them
feel safe to move in. That's a different thing.
A bit of research suggests that you need to play loud "party" sounds to
bring swifts down from higher up to check out the party scene. Once within
range of your boxes, the sound known as "nest defence" tells a prospecting
swift that there's an occupied nest in the colony that's being defended, so
the location must be already occupied, and a trustworthy one to join. They
will expect occupied nests to be defended, and will look to move in next
door. This suggests that two sets of sounds might need to be played, one
loud "party" call, pointing up into the air, and a "nest defence" call
near, but NOT from the inside of an empty box (as that would show
occupation), but to show that the existing community is thriving, with
possible vacancies!
Whether this is total nonsense is anyone's guess, but I hope we can get a
clear answer to this. Some of us will like to do the job properly, and the
more effective the sounds are, the quicker we can get the population to
rise.
 
Ron
 
Tony Croft <the.cro...@gmail.com>: Jun 02 05:26PM +0100

Hi Peta
 
Sadly I'm in late stage Heartfailure and not able to organise anything in
Hathern this year BUT I have asked a few people who are fascinated by
swifts and have boxes installed on their houses here in the hope someone
might step up!
 
I feel really sad not to be doing anything but I'm very limited in what I
can do now...
 
Thanks to installing a caller after four years of empty boxes we have
finally got birds showing an interest and think we may have one nest
occupied but no confirmation of that h
 
 
Best Regards
 
On Mon, 1 Jun 2026, 10:10 'Peta' via swiftslocalnetwork, <
Nick Brown <brown...@gmail.com>: Jun 02 03:29PM +0100

Hi again,
Following Peta's email yesterday, there are now just *44 SAW events* on the
national list.
So we are *not even halfway* towards last year's event total.
However there are still *25 long summer days* left for you to get more
events organised so please keep them coming in via Peta's form and the
sooner the better!
 
*Here are the links to:*
The essential SAW event form: *https://tinyurl.com/SAW 2026 event
registration <https://tinyurl.com/SAW2026eventregistration>*
The national AfS list and map so far: Action for Swifts: SAW events 2026
<https://actionforswifts.blogspot.com/p/saw-events.html>
The RSPB's list of SAW events so far: Swift Awareness Week
<https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/swift-awareness-week> (This will
be updated before the week starts).
 
 
*So, you really don't feel up to running an event as such butv you'd like
to do something? No problem.*
 
SAW provides the perfect platform for organising *other promotional
‘actions’ *such as:
 
1. Getting articles about swifts and their plight into your local (or
national) newspaper, community or parish magazine.
 
2. Putting leaflets/posters on your windows, in libraries, community
centres etc. (and even having a display of nest boxes etc).
 
3. Making a Banksy type mural on a blank wall somewhere….or making swift
flags to put up along a street.
 
4. Getting local youth groups/WI’s to do a project on swifts/make nest
boxes/paint them in the colours of the flags of the countries they migrate
over.
 
5. Asking you county wildlife trust/local RSPB or birder group what they do
to help swifts and whether they will put something about swifts and UKSAW
on their websites, in their newsletters etc.
 
6. Giving a nest box or two to a local school/church/community centre/care
home as a way of involving them.
7. Asking wildlife writers/columnists to write about swifts during the week.
 
8. Approaching your local radio/TV stations and local print papers to
include something about swifts.
9. Using the many social media channels to do the same.
 
Let me know if you need any help or guidance with any of this....
 
Cheers
Nick and Peta
Ps. And please don't forget to use the *SAW logo* on all your publicity!
[image: SAW logo 2026 final at 23rd March ss.jpg]

Edward Mayer

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Jun 3, 2026, 10:45:10 AM (10 days ago) Jun 3
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Sorry, no idea! Do they work OK?

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