Re: [SLN] Digest for swiftslocalnetwork@googlegroups.com - 4 updates in 3 topics

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Edward Mayer

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Sep 30, 2025, 4:32:17 AM (8 days ago) Sep 30
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Hi Cally, I don't like the door fastening at all. It looks like it could loosen with time, drop, and then the door is free to open. The box incorporates some hardly proven notions, that Swifts prefer bottom entry, that they like a ladder, and they like the interior to be black. None of which are borne out by overall experience with either natural nesting sites or with other nest boxes or bricks. All the best, Edward

On 9/30/2025 7:58 AM, swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com wrote:
Edward Mayer <edward...@zen.co.uk>: Sep 29 02:14PM +0100

Hello Swifties! You may well recall Charles Foster who spoke at the
Cambridge Swift conference? He has just has a superb article published
in the September 19th edition of the Times Literary Supplement - all
about the migration of the Red Knot across the Wadden See, amazingly
evocative (I was there in August watching the Knot and a lot else too on
the North Holland coast) but Swifts get a mention too, of course. Well
worth a read! Best wishes, Edward
Ben Stammers <Ben.St...@northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk>: Sep 29 07:48AM

Hi Barbara and everyone
Great to know Pauline will be there on wednesday for the debate.
I sent a message last week to 30 groups/individuals that work to help swifts in Wales, the main ask being to contact their local Members of the Senedd and encourage them to support the proposal - as Elfyn's done - diolch Elfyn! Please see the message below and briefings for MSs attached - and if you haven't already, please share with anyone Wales-based. Also attached an open letter to the Deputy First Minister from our Youth Forum young people, and a personal account from one of its members.
I'm going down to Cardiff on Wednesday too - I'll look out for Pauline. I know Strinda from Porthcawl Swifts is also going, and some representatives of the Wildlife Trusts Youth Forum - I'll try and find out who else is planning to be there as well.
Best wishes
Ben
 
As you may know, in 2024, over 10,000 people signed a Senedd petition calling for the Welsh Government to install swift bricks in all new buildings in Wales. That proposal is now scheduled for debate in the Senedd on October 1st.
On behalf of North Wales Wildlife Trust and RSPB Cymru, I'm asking everyone who champions swifts and works to help them, to please email their constituency and regional MS’s<https://senedd.wales/find-a-member-of-the-senedd/?isActiveMs=true> and encourage them to support the proposal and speak up for it when it's debated in the chamber. If you're able to include an example of swift decline in your own area, and/or the work of your own group, or personal experience, this could help make it locally relatable - but bear in mind MSs are busy people and probably won't read anything longer than a single page! Senedd Members will already be receiving briefings prepared for them by North Wales Wildlife Trust and RSPB Cymru, that set out the arguments for backing the proposal (attached FYI).
 
Please email your MSs after the 22nd September - that's when they are back from recess, and we want to coordinate the campaign to give it the most impact. If you're active on social media, please also spread the word about the debate and help show MSs that this is a measure that matters to people.
And if you want to join those of us showing our support for this in person at the Senedd on October 1st, please let me know.
 
For further info, here's an explanation of the background to the debate, and the political process:
The Senedd Petition “Legislate to ensure Swift bricks are installed in all new buildings in Wales<https://business.senedd.wales/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=44781&Opt=0>” was created by Julia Barrell. The petition gathered large numbers in support reaching over 10,000 signatures. Since last spring the petition has been under the consideration of the Petitions Committee in the Senedd who before the summer recess recommended the petition be debated by the full Senedd. The 30 minute debate scheduled for 1st October, is an important opportunity for Senedd Members from across the political spectrum to express their views on the issue and to show they are supportive of the petition. The relevant Cabinet Secretary will then respond for the Welsh Government at the end of the debate. The Petitions Committee will likely meet following the debate to reflect on the debate and government response.
 
Many thanks / Diolch yn fawr
Ben
Ben Stammers
Swyddog Bywyd Gwyllt a Phobl / Wildlife and People Officer
ben.st...@northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk<mailto:ben.stammers@northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk>
01248 351541 / 07764897415
[swift silhouette 1]
[cid:image0...@01DAC956.42EE12C0]<https://www.northwaleswildlifetrust.org.uk/> [Cymraeg]
 
 
________________________________
From: 'Barbara Anglezarke' via swiftslocalnetwork <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Monday, September 29, 2025 07:55
To: swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: RE: [SLN] Fwd: The Senedd will debate “Legislate to ensure swift bricks are installed in all new buildings in Wales.” | Bydd y Senedd yn trafod “Deddfu i sicrhau bod briciau gwenoliaid duon yn cael eu gosod ym mhob adeilad newydd yng Nghymru”
 
 
Pauline Hill from our Brecon group will be going down to the Senedd with a Wildlife Trust rep to represent us – are any other groups going? Do say hello!
 
 
 
Barbara
 
 
 
From: swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Machynlleth & District Swift Group
Sent: 28 September 2025 21:01
To: swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [SLN] Fwd: The Senedd will debate “Legislate to ensure swift bricks are installed in all new buildings in Wales.” | Bydd y Senedd yn trafod “Deddfu i sicrhau bod briciau gwenoliaid duon yn cael eu gosod ym mhob adeilad newydd yng Nghymru”
 
 
 
Hi all,
 
 
 
Myself and many other swift groups in Wales have added our support to this campaign instigated by RSPB Cymru and the North Wales Wildlife Trust.
 
 
 
Let's hope for a successful outcome at the Senedd debate on Wednesday 1st October.
 
 
 
Today I sent an email to Russell George our local constituency Member of the Welsh Senedd asking for his support.
 
 
 
Kind regards
 
 
 
Elfyn Pugh
 
 
 
Dyfi Biosphere Swift Project
 
 
 
Machynlleth & District Swift Group.
 
 
 
On Sun, Sep 28, 2025 at 7:45 PM 'Mike Priaulx' via swiftslocalnetwork <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com<mailto:swiftslocalnetwork@googlegroups.com>> wrote:
 
Hi all,
 
For info, received this in my inbox.
 
All the best,
 
Mike
 
On 27 Sept 2025, at 03:59, Senedd Petitions / Deisebau <senedd.petit...@notifications.service.gov.uk<mailto:senedd.petitions.deisebau@notifications.service.gov.uk>> wrote:
 
Dear Michael Priaulx, The Senedd is going to debate the petition you signed – “Legislate to ensure swift bricks are installed in all new buildings in Wales.”. https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/246264 The debate is scheduled for 1 October 2025. Once…
 
[Senedd Cymru / Welsh Parliament (no banner)]
 
 
 
 
 
Dear Michael Priaulx,
 
The Senedd is going to debate the petition you signed – “Legislate to ensure swift bricks are installed in all new buildings in Wales.”.
 
https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/246264
 
The debate is scheduled for 1 October 2025.
 
Once it has been published, you’ll be able to find the agenda for the meeting here: https://business.senedd.wales/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeId=700
 
You’ll be able to watch online on https://www.senedd.tv/
 
Once the debate has happened, we’ll email you a video and transcript.
 
Thanks,
The Petitions team
Senedd
 
You’re receiving this email because you signed this petition: “Legislate to ensure swift bricks are installed in all new buildings in Wales.”.
To unsubscribe from getting emails about this petition: https://petitions.senedd.wales/signatures/2583215/unsubscribe?token=j6CIiEwr0xP1tfgcEjFC
 
________________________________
 
Annwyl Michael Priaulx,
 
Mae’r Senedd yn mynd i drafod y ddeiseb a lofnodwyd gennych – “Deddfu i sicrhau bod briciau gwenoliaid duon yn cael eu gosod ym mhob adeilad newydd yng Nghymru”.
 
https://deisebau.senedd.cymru/deisebau/246264
 
Mae’r ddadl wedi’i hamserlennu ar gyfer 1 Hydref 2025.
 
Unwaith mae wedi cael ei gyhoeddi, byddwch yn medru dod o hyd i’r agenda ar gyfer y cyfarfod yma: https://busnes.senedd.cymru/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeId=700
 
Gallwch chi wylio’r ddadl ar-lein ar https://www.senedd.tv/
 
Ar ôl i’r ddadl ddigwydd, byddwn yn e-bostio fideo a thrawsgrifiad atoch.
 
Diolch,
Y tîm Deisebau
Senedd
 
Rydych chi’n derbyn yr e-bost hwn oherwydd i chi lofnodi’r ddeiseb hon: “Deddfu i sicrhau bod briciau gwenoliaid duon yn cael eu gosod ym mhob adeilad newydd yng Nghymru”.
Dad-danysgrifio rhag cael negeseuon e-bost am y ddeiseb hon: https://deisebau.senedd.cymru/llofnodion/2583215/dad-danysgrifio?token=j6CIiEwr0xP1tfgcEjFC
 
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Mike Priaulx <michael...@yahoo.com>: Sep 29 08:36AM +0100

Hi Cally/ all,
 
Note that unusually this box attaches to the soffit board rather than the wall.
 
Therefore it's only suitable where the soffit board is wide, at least 20cm from the look of it (I can't find the dimensions),
 
and the soffit board is sturdy enough that it's not going to sag after a wooden box is attached to it for many years!
 
All the best,
 
Mike
 
 
Cally Smith Huntly & District Swift Group <huntlysw...@gmail.com>: Sep 28 10:49AM -0700
 
Hi all
 
I was wondering what thoughts people had regarding this swift box please.
I suspect this has come up in conversation before and has possibly been
tweaked - can't quite remember.
 
https://arxnaturalis.co.uk/products/swift-eaves-box?variant=55664850829637
Thank you
Cally
 
⁣
T Davies <talya...@googlemail.com>: Sep 29 08:47AM +0100

Also it says on their website:
"...can be deployed on almost any building, and may be utilised as part of
a new build initiative or retrofitted to existing properties"
 
Which is really not true as it's only suitable for buildings with soffits,
and it's not even suitable for all of those.
 
The box is ok but the wording therefore needs changing.
 
If it's "deployed" by fixing to a wall, the exposed flat roof would then
make it vulnerable to predators perching on top, water damage etc.
 
 
 
On Monday, 29 September 2025, 'Mike Priaulx' via swiftslocalnetwork <
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