Request for study site(s) with occupied swift bricks for RSPB research this June/July

[Chris Batey]

Apologies if this post has already gone out once before (my first attempt appeared not to work).

We are carrying out some RSPB research this summer, testing methods for detecting occupancy of artificial swift nest sites (nest boxes and swift bricks) including thermal cameras.

This work will inform the survey design for a citizen science national survey of swift occupancy of artificial nest sites which we hope to roll out in 2026, funding permitting. That survey will then improve our understanding of the factors influencing swift occupancy of artificial nest sites which will allow us to better advocate for them being provided in optimal locations for swifts in the future. 

For this season, it is proving difficult to find suitable study sites with swift bricks which are already being used by breeding swifts. If anyone has access to or knows of good sites where swifts are nesting in swift bricks (we require sites with 10s of nests rather just single nests in bricks) - please get in touch with me as we would potentially be interested in carrying out thermal camera surveys there this June/July.

I am based in Lincolnshire so sites in the counties surrounding Lincs would be optimal, but this is not essential, so do please get in touch beyond that area if there is a site with a large number of swifts breeding in bricks.

Thanks in advance,

Chris Batey

RSPB - Conservation Science Dept.

[Tanya Hoare]

hi chris

We have many occupied nest bricks, S-bricks, Cambridge systems and Scwegler 25s and 1As.

I'll email you directly -  wrote a report about last year's thermal imaging survey, both bricks and boxes , and will forward it to you.

Regards

Tanya & Edmund

ta.h...@btinternet.com

(1) Sedbergh Community Swifts | Facebook

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[Amanda Randall]

Hi Chris,

I suspect that the question I am about to ask is not within the scope of your study, however, you may know if the question has already been answered.

I was asked by someone who said that swift bricks were no good (my hackles rose at this point) because swifts are colonial and one brick per property wouldn't be a colony. So my question is,  what would be the maximum distance that would be acceptable between artificial nest provision, for swifts to have a colony? Has anyone researched this?  In my own (minimal) experience, natural nest sites are scattered between houses, and not necessarily all in one property.

Amanda 

Harbury Swifts 

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[Dick Newell]

Some birds are 'colonial', they may need other birds near them for reasons of social interaction, colony defence or whatever. Other birds are 'territorial'. They need space around them away from other birds. My opinion is that Swifts are neither colonial nor territorial. Their nest sites are dictated by availability. There are plenty of examples of isolated Swift nests as well as examples of dense colonies - if 'colony' is the right word.

So 1 Swift brick per dwelling should be OK. However, clearly Swifts seek out nest sites near occupied nest sites - as demonstrated by attraction calls. Therefore it may be more effective to have 2 in every other house or 3 in every third. There was a case in Holland where very similar houses all had a flaw in the same place. All these opportunities were occupied by Swifts. We're later occupants copying the first swift that found a crevice?

Dick

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[Amanda Randall]

Thanks for these helpful thoughts, Dick.  I will pass them on.

Amanda

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[Nafisa Sayany]

Hi Chris,

Just seen your email. I have 10 swift bricks (4 with cameras) that were installed in 2020, designed and provided by Action for Swifts. They replaced natural eave site due to a loft conversion. It took 2 seasons before returning swifts managed to locate them. At least 5 bricks were occupied last year by nesting pairs. Happy to be part of your survey if Hitchin, Hertfordshire isn't too far for you.

Kind regards,

Nafisa

[Dick Newell]

You can read about Nafisa's Swift boxes and S Bricks here:

https://actionforswifts.blogspot.com/2020/02/s-bricks-in-rendered-wall.html

Dick

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