Re: [SLN] Digest for swiftslocalnetwork@googlegroups.com - Those Swift Window stickers will just make things worse!
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Edward Mayer
May 20, 2026, 1:53:39 PM (3 days ago) May 20
to swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear! Another bright idea based on illogical and anthropomorphic misunderstandings. Those stickers, they show Swifts don't they? So how can they possibly work as a deterrent? They tell oncoming Swifts that there are Swifts ahead of them, not glass, (which they apparently cannot see) so they fly to join them and hit the glass. The only way to stop birds hitting glass is to mark it all over with a pattern that the birds can see as an obstacle. That's based on sound research and is well proven. On the other hand, I have never ever heard of a Swift actually hitting a glass window anyway. Food for thought? Edward
On 20-May-26 7:58 AM,
swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com wrote:
- Mitigations - Suffolk - 1 Update
- Birds in Loughborough - 1 Update
- Swifts Nests: illegally blocked or obstructed past and present - FOIs, Police regions and New Petition - 1 Update
- Call and response survey method - a short guide - 1 Update
- Scaffolding down and waiting for the swifts. - 1 Update
Swifts (SOS) <swi...@suffolkbirdgroup.org>: May 19 04:49PM +0100
We’re fortunate to be able to react to 2 instances here of Swifts’ nest sites threatened.
A visiting Swift lover noted that the roof opposite their annual holiday accommodation had had anti-bird combing installed since their last visit and Swifts couldn’t access. With ‘permissions’ 8 sections of black combing were trimmed, best looking access where tiles were raised or the gutter low. House Sparrows went straight in, a Swift was seen to enter the following morning.
We’ve also had a location where Swifts nest within a roof on top of the truss rafters, but Grey Squirrels have got into the loft causing mayhem. To owner seemed unwilling to trap the squirrels so we donated 4 nest boxes for the elevation where Swifts access, image below.
We’ve already had 3 new locations reporting their first nest boxes being used for the first time, all have more than 1 Swift box.
I think there are many more breeding Swifts still to arrive.
Best of luck all
Eddie
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Banstead Swifts <banstea...@gmail.com>: May 19 12:44PM +0100
Dear All
1.I am preparing a *Freedom of Information Request* in regard of how many
incidents there have been of swift nests being blocked or obstructed
reported to 101 and how many of the individuals or businesses were
prosecuted.
I will be submitting to Surrey Police, and realistically I'd like to submit
to every police service in the UK, but this would create a lot of work for
them. I have instead decided to ask you to share if you have reported a
swift or building dependent species crime recently or in the past, and to
let me know your Police region. I can then submit a targeted FOI to a
handful of Police regions to give us a snapshot of crimes recorded and
prosecutions.
2. I have created a new *petition* that will make up part of my project on
the issue of Wildlife Crime Against Swifts and other building dependent
species
*Please sign and share.: https://c.org/mvhKZRDpg6
<https://c.org/mvhKZRDpg6>*
3. If anyone has anything they would like to share about their experience
of reporting swift nests being obstructed or blocked, a few lines would be
much appreciated. I am looking for comments on:
a. What was the crime reported? Blocked, scaffolding, pipes etc?
b. What did the Police do?
c. How long did it take to resolve the crime, or was it left?
d. What was the outcome? Were the nests recovered and saved, did the birds
abandon and never return.
e. After hearing or witnessing swift wildlife crime, have you ever been
aware that the perpetrators were prosecuted?
All of this will help me form an evidenced argument to call for prosecution
of wildlife crimes against swifts.
Best
Annie
Banstead Swifts <banstea...@gmail.com>: May 19 04:09AM -0700
Thanks Graham
I shall take a look. Are you giving these out to residents with nest sites
or keeping them specifically to us grass roots swifties? I ask as I think
it's probably an issue of trust to share the method.
Kindest
Annie
Cally Smith <huntlysw...@gmail.com>: May 19 08:28AM +0100
Totally agree. There is complete ignorance of the habits of swifts from all
corners and convincing any of the organisations that SHOULD be familiar
with the law is often almost impossible. The biggest worry is the
timescale for these situations to be addressed. Anyway i am grateful that
you might have someone able to dedicate some time to looking in to this
situation - as with all aspects of conservation it needs dedicated focus.
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!*
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normal working day. Thank you!*
On Mon, 18 May 2026 at 20:36, Banstead Swifts <banstea...@gmail.com>
wrote:
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