Re: [SLN] Digest for swiftslocalnetwork@googlegroups.com - 8 updates in 6 topics
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Julie Cowley
Jun 1, 2026, 8:03:49 AM (12 days ago) Jun 1
to swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com
Dear all
Regarding the article on Spring Watch (and of course the interesting presentation by James O’Neill at the SLN last year) a couple of swift fans have expressed disappointment in the behaviour shown by returning adult birds.
I have countered it by saying that this kind of intensive colony is artificial and not typical of what would be expected for a natural distribution of swifts during the breeding season. As opportunistic nesters they are unlikely to be so densely associated and the colonies/ breeding sites will have been more dispersed. I have acknowledge that the behaviour will occur but not on the scale shown in the feature. Is this a reasonable response?
Julie Cowley
Swifts in the Strettons project
On Mon, 1 Jun 2026 at 07:58, <swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
- Iroko hardwood / African Teak - 1 Update
- Wildlife Crime at Regent House, Station Approach, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1TH - 3 Updates
- Press Release: Destruction of Swift Colony in Surrey Sparks National Wildlife Crime Concerns - 1 Update
- Digest for swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com - 3 updates in 2 topics - 1 Update
- An update on Ensure wildlife crime against building-dependent species is prosecuted - 1 Update
- Digest for swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com - 18 updates in 6 topics - 1 Update
Amanda Randall <a.l.ran...@gmail.com>: May 31 10:17PM +0100
Thank you, Ron. That's a good suggestion. I will need to discuss this with
the Parish council as well as the carpenter himself, since he made all our
original boxes.for the PC project.
Best wishes
Amanda
Banstead Swifts <banstea...@gmail.com>: May 31 09:56AM +0100
Hi there
We don't but I just emailed Wild Justice with: the background and a few
points from the issues/failings that Mike has been working really hard, all
weekend, to extract and analyse from documents for us. Thanks Mike!
I had already been in contact with the Environmental Law Federation
regarding swift nest 1 at Banstead, but this case will supercede that in
size and also the liklihood of a successful prosecution. I will have to
submit a fresh enquiry I think, I will call tommorrow to check.
The Police have still not responded. I called am and pm yesterday. I am
tired of speaking to 101 which is a call centre that gatekeeps all access
to officers to zero.
I discovered that the first reports were made to Surrey Police 3 weeks ago.
Sorry, I can't recall if I had already shared that!
Annie
On Sun, 31 May 2026, 07:57 'Heidi Collishaw' via swiftslocalnetwork, <
Graham Knight <gpk...@gmail.com>: May 31 09:13AM
Hi Annie
One particular thing I remember from the talk on wildlife crime at the SLN
conference last year: if you are unhappy with the response from police in
relation to an issue, contact the Police and Crime Commissioner for your
area.
PCC's oversee police forces and set policing priorities, and so it seems to
me that the level of response to wildlife crime is something to be raised
with them.
Best wishes
Graham Knight
Sawbridgeworth Swifts
On Sun, 31 May 2026, 08:57 Banstead Swifts, <banstea...@gmail.com>
wrote:
Banstead Swifts <banstea...@gmail.com>: May 31 10:10PM +0100
Thanks Graham, I have added it to my list!
I
Banstead Swifts <banstea...@gmail.com>: May 31 09:28PM +0100
*The Swifts of Dorking*
*Embargoed till 7am, Monday 1st June 2026*
*_______________________________________________*
Destruction of Swift Colony in Surrey Sparks National Wildlife Crime
Concerns
*Surrey, UK — 30 May 2026* — The demolition of a building in Surrey has
triggered serious concerns over a breach of UK wildlife law, after an
estimated 17–22 nests of the red-listed common swift (*Apus apus*) were
destroyed during works at Regent House near Dorking Station.
The demolition, carried out by Northeast Demolition UK for Hill Group as
part of a redevelopment by Clarion Housing, has impacted what may have been
the largest known swift colony in Dorking. The site had supported nesting
swifts for over a decade and had been monitored by local conservation
groups for many years.
Common swifts are a species of high conservation concern in the UK, having
declined by over 60% since the 1980s. They are legally protected under the
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it an offence to
intentionally or recklessly destroy active nests during the breeding season.
Residents report that warnings were raised with Surrey Police Wildlife
Officers in early May, shortly after swifts returned from migration and
were observed actively nesting within the building. Concerns were also
formally raised with Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) and Councillor
Margaret Cooksey, Chair of the Development Committee. Despite this,
demolition proceeded during peak nesting season.
Conservationists are now describing the incident as a significant wildlife
crime, raising broader concerns about the enforcement of environmental
protections during development across England.
Mole Valley District Council has confirmed it is now investigating the
situation. At the time of writing, no enforcement action has been announced
by Surrey Police Wildlife Officers.
Campaigners say the case highlights systemic gaps in the protection of
urban-nesting species and are calling for urgent national attention to
ensure wildlife laws are properly enforced during development projects.
Members of the public are encouraged to report any relevant information to
Surrey Police by calling 101 and quoting crime reference number
*45260062539*. Dorking residents with swift nest boxes or swift bricks are
being asked to play swift calls to help the displaced birds find new
nesting sites.
------------------------------
*Media Contact:*
Annie Griffin
Email: Banstea...@gmail.com
Facebook: Banstead Swifts
Julie Cowley <julieco...@gmail.com>: May 31 08:04PM +0100
Can we not approach the National Wildlife Crime Unit and document the
incident to them?
I have signed the petition but that does not feel enough.
Julie
Edward Mayer <edward...@zen.co.uk>: May 31 03:34PM +0100
One needs to be careful exactly which swift calls are used. In general only nest defence calls work to attract swifts. Ones that one finds on the internet may not be these and may not work so well.
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Laurinda Luffman
Jun 1, 2026, 9:37:38 AM (12 days ago) Jun 1
to swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com
Hi Julie
I think that’s fair. The RSPB’s Malcolm Burgess is about to publish the results of a scientific study, which assessed Swifts across colony sites and shows a much lower ‘divorce’ rate of <10%, with fidelity to nest sites.
Will let the SLN know when this is published.
Laurinda
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