@sosswifts.bsky.social swift numbers here on the coast really dropped this week. Bon voyage....

An interesting Chimney Swift article here www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Excellent news, they'd be really chuffed

6 Swift nest boxes & a call system have gone to The Green Dragon pub in Bungay, both late greats Steve Piotrowski & Paddy Shaw blew the froth off a few beers here in their time. They did much for conservation, it was their idea for a swift walk, talk and a pint, both are sadly missed #SuffolkBirding

Both Swift nest boxes installed in 2017 in Blaxhall are now occupied. Thanks to a very generous legacy SOSSwifts have donated another 4 nest boxes for there, a super opportunity to create another very significant Swift colony @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social #SuffolkBirding

2 Swift boxes funded by Coasts/Heaths NL here in Southwold are now used. The easiest way to boost local Swift populations is to add more nesting space, so 10 further nest boxes have been donated to create a significant colony @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social #SuffolkBirding

Apologies for straying off topic but @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social also provide nest boxes for Suffolk’s rarer breeding species that will take to them. Fantastic to hear that Spotted Flycatchers have taken to one recently fitted and have young close to fledging. #SuffolkBirding

No signs of Swifts using these nest boxes on the Constable Health Centre in East Bergholt. House Sparrows are breeding here though & this species is red-listed too, their behaviour can help Swifts find a nest site too @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social #SuffolkBirding

Great to be able to confirm that the 7th occupied Swift box here does have young, I can now hear quiet chirruping when a parent returns with food. This box was repeatedly banged last year then briefly occupied last July. @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social #SuffolkBirding

7 Swift nest boxes along with a 240V call system have been installed on the Quakers Meeting House in #Leiston, Suffolk. SOSSwifts have more Community Sets available for prominent elevations of public buildings around Suffolk @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social #SuffolkBirding

Debenham is bonkers with Swifts currently & Trevor Stutter has captured this image of a busy nest box, one of many used in the town. Adding nest boxes where Swifts breed helps boost local populations, these are on the church @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social #SuffolkBirding

JT, our volunteer nest box maker with another car load for Suffolk. The flat lidded Swift box is one of 10 going to #Southwold to add to a budding colony. SOSSwifts have also just delivered 3 boxes to #Nayland & 6 to #Lavenham for colonies there too @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social #SuffolkBirding

Swift conservation works but can take time. This location was far from an existing colony but installed nest boxes & played calls May-July for several years until found. There is no reason why it can’t be repeated anywhere. #SuffolkBirding @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

Great to see these Swift nest boxes on Old Newton Primary School today, near #Stowmarket, decorated by their pupils. House Sparrows are exploring them, they’re red-lasted too and can light the way for Swifts to find them @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social #SuffolkBirding

A Swift Community Set has been donated to #Clopton Village Hall where the 6 boxes + 240V call system will be mounted on a suitable high elevation where there is a clear line of flight. SOSSwifts has more Sets available. @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social #SuffolkBirding

Great to hear that a Kessingland location which installed 6 Swift boxes in 2023 now has 2 recently being used. They’re likely to be occupied by younger Swifts which probably won’t breed this year, but the birds are very likely to return in 2027 a bit wiser & try again @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

Bramfield House School installed 8 Swift boxes early 2024 & now have 4 boxes being used, the start of a significant Swift colony for their pupils to marvel at. Thanks to a kind donation 8 more Swift nest boxes are being added @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social #SuffolkBirding

Fantastic conservation here at this north Suffolk location where 6 of their Swift nest boxes are active + over 30 House Martin nests on this and surrounding buildings, all from nothing. They were able to create a super mud splat for the HMs who colonised @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social #SuffolkBirding

SOSSwifts have donated this Swift Community Set to Abbeygate 6th form in Bury St Edmunds. Swifts’ calls are being played to help attract the younger Swifts above looking for a future place to breed. Swift conservation works. @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social #SuffolkBirding

Great to hear of a Martlesham location with multiple Swift nest boxes now has their first occupancy. It has taken some time for Swifts to find their boxes, they’re some distance from an existing colony & calls were played to help. @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social #UKBirding

Lots of Swift action this morning by the boxes in Rayne @essexbirdnews.bsky.social #birds #ukbirding @sosswifts.bsky.social

Woodbridge Swifts have a walk and talk tomorrow evening, Sunday 5th July meeting at the Brook St car park IP12 1BE at 7pm. Learn about Swifts, their plight and how easy it is to help them. @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social #SuffolkBirding

Swift nesting sites are so easily lost, most folk don’t even know they have them nesting in a cranny. Quick reactions & a positive response here means that Swifts can still access, the nest entrance is being maintained & a nest box is being added for breeding space. @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

Two super days checking Barn Owl boxes. 7 boxes checked 25 BO pulli (chicks) ringed. 2026 looking like a bumper year. Glad Sally Nelson's hard work is paying off @sbgbarnowls.bsky.social and @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

When I was 4 or 5 swifts were everywhere. The cottage we lived in had wood fascia they nested behind. The farm owner replaced with plastic fascia fitted close to the wall and the swifts couldn't get in. They came back for years crying as they couldn't get in. Now Im 60 I never see them. So sad.

3 Save Our Suffolk Swift nest boxes have gone to a location in #Snape. Swifts nest close by but calls will still be needed to speed up the process of Swifts finding them to breed, it can take some time. @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social #SuffolkBirding

Interesting Swift mitigation here in Westleton where non-native Grey Squirrels have invaded the loft disturbing Swifts nesting on top of the truss rafters. There is little likelihood of Swifts breeding there this year but adding nest boxes provides extra breeding space for the future #SuffolkBirding

Swift walk & talk this Friday 3rd in Wenhaston + a swift pint afterwards in The Star Inn. #Wenhaston has done much for Swift conservation, learn about Swifts & enjoy their screaming flights. Meet at the village hall car park at 6pm @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social #SuffolkBirding

A super set up at this Sudbury Swifts colony created over time by adding nest boxes and playing Swifts’ calls www.youtube.com/live/ekEMMz3... @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social #SuffolkBirding

A car load of nest boxes for our SOSSwifts campaign. These are destined for existing colonies in Bury St Edmunds and Wenhaston to help boost local populations, also Community Sets to Woodbridge Rugby Club & West Suffolk College. @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social #UKBirding