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

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Tony D

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Mar 30, 2026, 5:28:05 AM (6 days ago) Mar 30
to swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com
Nestboxes and Pergrines?
I have had a request  for a nestbox to be installed on a church that has nesting peregrines. Has anyone ant expeience or advice to offer. My first reaction was to say sorry.
Thanks
Tony

On Mon, Mar 30, 2026 at 7:58 AM <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
amboyce...@gmail.com <amboyce...@gmail.com>: Mar 29 12:48AM -0700

Hi Cally
 
Our paid installers are a landscape gardener/handyman and an electrician.
They have public liability insurance, and as a requirement of the grant
funding we received, we had to provide a copy of the cert.
 
Best
Annie & Barry
banstea...@gmail.com
 
 
On Saturday, 28 March 2026 at 11:48:38 UTC Cally Smith Huntly & District
Swift Group wrote:
 
Hi all
Wondering who people are getting to install their nest boxes? I used to
have insurance for one of our guys but it has now risen to over £400 and
that's only to cover 3.5 mtr height. Basically i am stuck!
I guess asking a local friendly man and a ladder or getting funding to
cover a qualified person at their hourly rate are the only options unless i
can find an insurance company to cover what's required.
 
Grateful for ideas!
Cally
Cally Smith <huntlysw...@gmail.com>: Mar 29 11:52AM +0100

Many thanks Annie and Barry, i need to go find people! Its probably easier
to find someone once you have specific funding in place to pay them rather
than finding people to just be there for odd installations as and when.
 
Thank you!
Cally
 
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 Sun, 29 Mar 2026 at 08:48, amboyce...@gmail.com <amboyce...@gmail.com>
wrote:
 
Cally Smith <huntlysw...@gmail.com>: Mar 29 07:54PM +0100

Hi Heidi That's a very good idea thank you. I will approach them :)
Cally
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!*
 
 
 
 
<http://www.avg.com/email-signature?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail>
Virus-free.www.avg.com
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<#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
 
On Sat, 28 Mar 2026 at 21:08, 'Heidi Collishaw' via swiftslocalnetwork <
Mike Priaulx <michael...@yahoo.com>: Mar 29 01:45PM +0100

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.SWIFTS@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 <super...@outlook.com>: Mar 29 06:42PM

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
 
[image] [See the source image] [image]
 
Bolton & Bury Swifts
Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/BoltonAndBurySwifts/> Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/boltonandburyswifts/>
House Martin Conservation<https://housemartinconservation.com/>
Bolton Green Umbrella<https://boltongreenumbrella.org.uk/>
 
 
________________________________
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
 
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.SWIFTS@GMAIL.COM> to tell me how you would like to tailor it and I’ll see what I can do.
Best wishes
Helen Lucy.

 
 
 
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Mike Priaulx <michael...@yahoo.com>: Mar 29 06:41PM +0100

Hi all,
 
If anyone again is in the vicinity of Berkshire and can contribute to a consultation, this huge development at Loddon Valley Garden Village (3,930 homes) is consulting on its design code, which closes 11/05/26.
 
Thanks to those who contributed already as the draft includes promising lines such as:"Features like swift bricks... should be embedded in design from the outset."
 
Here's the link: https://engage.wokingham.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/help-shape-the-future-of-loddon-valley-garden-village
 
If you can contribute then please email me at swifts....@gmail.com, and I will send guidance in a couple of weeks' time.
 
Many thanks,
Mike
 
Member of SLN Swifts & Planning Group
 
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Wokingham Borough Council <w...@public.govdelivery.com>Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2026 at 15:36Subject: Engage: give us your viewsTo: <swifts....@gmail.com>
 
 
 
⁣
Edward Mayer <edward...@zen.co.uk>: Mar 29 03:25PM +0100

Hi there, me again. To be fair to the GLA as far as I know it manages no
parks. The Mayor and the GLA have financially a very narrow remit (Fire
Services, Policing, Public Transport) and parks in London are managed
not by the Mayor, but by Royal Parks (Regents, Richmond, Hyde, Green
Parks etc)  and the London Boroughs (smaller, local parks). Hampstead
Heath used to be managed by the GLC, then it moved to the City of London
Corporation for its management. While both Royal Parks and the City of
London have instituted wildlife-friendly improvements, they have had to
cope with a massive footfall, ever-increasing as not just residents but
tourists have discovered these parks and are visiting them keenly, and
maybe people are becoming even more aware of the benefits of personal
exercise in public places, as well as needing places to walk their dogs.
There is also the need to make money, so the Royal Parks host concerts
and shows like the massive "Winter Wonderland". Wildlife, what's left of
it, has to compete with ever increasing numbers of humans and dogs.
Waterfowl apart, maybe, it seems to be a recipe for decline. But an
ever-growing population of 70 million people and 13 million dogs means
that humans and dogs probably outnumber most other wildlife species here
in the UK, are larger and much more destructive, and the environment in
cities like London certainly reflects that. Nightingales in Berlin? Oh
yes! I stood on a packed U-Bahn platform last summer during rush-hour
and listened to a Nightingale singing in track-side scrub. What a treat!
 
Paul Stevens <paulnat...@googlemail.com>: Mar 29 02:29PM +0100

Many thanks for all your replies on this.
 
On Sat, 28 Mar 2026 at 12:15, Cally Smith Huntly & District Swift Group <
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Laurinda Luffman

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Mar 30, 2026, 6:31:34 AM (5 days ago) Mar 30
to swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com

Hi Tony

 

I’ve been advised that unfortunately the two species don’t mix. Swift remains have been found in Peregrine nests/boluses.

 

So I’ve advise a church with Peregrines in a nearby county that dispersed nest boxes on houses would be a better solution, since once a colony builds at a church, they would certainly attract the attention of the Peregrines.

 

Laurinda

 

From: swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Tony D
Sent: 30 March 2026 10:28
To: swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [SLN] Digest for swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com - 8 updates in 5 topics

 

Nestboxes and Pergrines?

I have had a request  for a nestbox to be installed on a church that has nesting peregrines. Has anyone ant expeience or advice to offer. My first reaction was to say sorry.

Thanks

Tony

 

On Mon, Mar 30, 2026 at 7:58 AM <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



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Dick Newell

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Mar 30, 2026, 7:37:58 AM (5 days ago) Mar 30
to swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com
If it is just 'a' nest box that you are installing I wouldn't worry.
We have up to 96 nest boxes in one belfry e.g. St Mary's Ely with nesting Peregrines on the Cathedral nearby. I doubt Peregrines are anything like as damaging as Sparrowhawks or Kestrels.
Peregrines certainly catch some Swifts, but, unlike Sparrowhawks and Kestrels, they don't lurk around Swift colonies waiting to ambush, they catch them some distance from the colony.
Dick



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Robert Stark

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Mar 30, 2026, 11:28:01 AM (5 days ago) Mar 30
to swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com
Hi

Please could you ask the group if anyone has done big schemes with retro fitting boxes on reroofing schemes. 

We have been using the new Action for Swift moulded box but a roofer mentioned they had done a big scheme elsewhere with other boxes. They thought it was in the Leeds area or Kirklees. 

We are keen to put up the best, longest lasting boxes we can and would like to look at all options for the next scheme. Given the cost of erecting the boxes the cost of the box is less of a problem than quality. 

Regards

Rob Stark 
From: swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Monday, March 30, 2026 7:58:22 AM
To: Digest recipients <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [SLN] Digest for swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com - 8 updates in 5 topics
 

Robert Stark

unread,
Mar 30, 2026, 1:31:30 PM (5 days ago) Mar 30
to swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com
Hi

If it is not too late please could I change the text a little. To.....

Hi

Please could you ask the group if anyone has done big schemes with retro fitting boxes on reroofing schemes. We are working with a large social housing landlord.

Our roofer mentioned they had done a big scheme elsewhere with other boxes. They thought it was in the Leeds area or Kirklees. I would be keen to speak to the relevant group or if anyone has any experience with big schemes especially if they have been up a few years.

Regards

Rob Stark 
Scarborough Swift Group



From: Robert Stark <robs...@hotmail.co.uk>
Sent: Monday, March 30, 2026 16:27
To: swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [SLN] Digest for swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com - 8 updates in 5 topics
[./#digest_top]Back to top
[./#digest_top]Back to top
Mike Priaulx <michael...@yahoo.com>: Mar 29 06:41PM +0100

Hi all,
 
If anyone again is in the vicinity of Berkshire and can contribute to a consultation, this huge development at Loddon Valley Garden Village (3,930 homes) is consulting on its design code, which closes 11/05/26.
 
Thanks to those who contributed already as the draft includes promising lines such as:"Features like swift bricks... should be embedded in design from the outset."
 
Here's the link: https://engage.wokingham.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/help-shape-the-future-of-loddon-valley-garden-village
 
If you can contribute then please email me at swifts....@gmail.com, and I will send guidance in a couple of weeks' time.
 
Many thanks,
Mike
 
Member of SLN Swifts & Planning Group
 
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Wokingham Borough Council <w...@public.govdelivery.com>Date: Wed, 25 Mar 2026 at 15:36Subject: Engage: give us your viewsTo: <swifts....@gmail.com>
 
 
 
⁣
[./#digest_top]Back to top
Edward Mayer <edward...@zen.co.uk>: Mar 29 03:25PM +0100

Hi there, me again. To be fair to the GLA as far as I know it manages no
parks. The Mayor and the GLA have financially a very narrow remit (Fire
Services, Policing, Public Transport) and parks in London are managed
not by the Mayor, but by Royal Parks (Regents, Richmond, Hyde, Green
Parks etc)  and the London Boroughs (smaller, local parks). Hampstead
Heath used to be managed by the GLC, then it moved to the City of London
Corporation for its management. While both Royal Parks and the City of
London have instituted wildlife-friendly improvements, they have had to
cope with a massive footfall, ever-increasing as not just residents but
tourists have discovered these parks and are visiting them keenly, and
maybe people are becoming even more aware of the benefits of personal
exercise in public places, as well as needing places to walk their dogs.
There is also the need to make money, so the Royal Parks host concerts
and shows like the massive "Winter Wonderland". Wildlife, what's left of
it, has to compete with ever increasing numbers of humans and dogs.
Waterfowl apart, maybe, it seems to be a recipe for decline. But an
ever-growing population of 70 million people and 13 million dogs means
that humans and dogs probably outnumber most other wildlife species here
in the UK, are larger and much more destructive, and the environment in
cities like London certainly reflects that. Nightingales in Berlin? Oh
yes! I stood on a packed U-Bahn platform last summer during rush-hour
and listened to a Nightingale singing in track-side scrub. What a treat!
 
[./#digest_top]Back to top
Paul Stevens <paulnat...@googlemail.com>: Mar 29 02:29PM +0100

Many thanks for all your replies on this.
 
On Sat, 28 Mar 2026 at 12:15, Cally Smith Huntly & District Swift Group <
[./#digest_top]Back to top
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