Re: [SLN] Digest for swiftslocalnetwork@googlegroups.com - 5 updates in 2 topics

[Ailsa Wish]

Starlings are nesting a bit later I think. They are excellent nest creators as every home owner in older properties may have experienced. The late arriving swifts often find the nest vacated. 

Best wishes

Ailsa Wish

Caistor swifts

Sent from my iPhone

On 17 May 2026, at 07:58, swiftsloc...@googlegroups.com wrote:



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• Scaffolding down and waiting for the swifts. - 3 Updates
• Starlings taking over Swift nests - 2 Updates

Scaffolding down and waiting for the swifts.

Banstead Swifts <banstea...@gmail.com>: May 16 07:15PM +0100 Dear all   The scagfolding came down mid morning. Such a relief.   Now we wait for the swifts. We are hoping against hope they both return.   The Police have now made contact. The discussion went well and we now have a crime number.   Exhausted!   Happy weekend to you all.   Annie & Barry

Tony Croft <the.cro...@gmail.com>: May 16 08:07PM +0100 Weil done!   Best Regards Tony   Sent from my HP Laptop   On Sat, 16 May 2026, 19:15 Banstead Swifts, <banstea...@gmail.com> wrote:

Amanda Randall <a.l.ran...@gmail.com>: May 16 08:21PM +0100 What a relief. Well done for your determination and persistence. What a stressful time it's been.   Amanda Harbury Swifts   On Sat, 16 May 2026, 19:15 Banstead Swifts, <banstea...@gmail.com> wrote:

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Starlings taking over Swift nests

Mashamshire Swifts <masham...@gmail.com>: May 16 09:48AM +0100 Is it unique to this corner of the Yorkshire Dales or are other areas seeing a marked increase in the number of swift nest sites - both traditional eaves cavities and external boxes - being taken over by starlings?   We have already rescued a grounded swift that returned from Africa only to find its cavity occupied by starlings, who not won the battle over possession.   Walking around the town, we can hear and see starlings in swift boxes. It seems that the starling population has significantly increased, and that they have learnt how to squeeze through openings that were previously thought small enough to exclude them.   Interesting to know if this is a widespread problem.   John Darby Mashamshire Swift Conservation Community Project

Tony Croft <the.cro...@gmail.com>: May 16 11:33AM +0100 Hi,   We have one of our 5 Schwegler boxes occupied by Starlings nesting... fledged 7!   Seen some interest in our other 6 swift boxes by 2 pairs but so far the cold weather has kept our swifts away somewhere!   Best Regards Tony   On Sat, 16 May 2026, 09:48 Mashamshire Swifts, <masham...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Edward Mayer]

Brilliant! What a relief!! Hadn't realised just how little work was needed to reposition the flue until I saw the photos. My, that mass e-mailing got the job done fast, didn't it!!!