(not so) Common Swifts (1 Viewer)

[mark apusapus smyth]

Many of you probably dont know I've been trying to push swifts in the Northern Ireland section
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=161057 but after I was contacted today to tell me about the swift sighting in Wicklow and I thought I should restart it here

 

[mark apusapus smyth]

Feel free to ask anything

Mark
Northern Ireland Swift Group
http://www.saveourswifts.co.uk

 

[mark apusapus smyth]

These are my youtube videos
http://www.youtube.com/user/sandersii?ob=5#p/u

 

[mark apusapus smyth]

here's a nice easy to make nest box
http://saveourswifts.co.uk/nest-sites-home-made.htm
Your local builders supplier should be able to cut the 10mm exterior ply to size. All you need to do is add a budgie concave.

 

[The_Partridge]

nothing to say except good luck and all power to you

my favourite 'British' bird

I've moved from a house with nesting Swifts to a house with nesting House Martins and much as I enjoy the presence of the Martins, I do miss being able to watch the Swifts tear round the backs of the houses on their circuits, screeching to each other

 

[squidge]

An increase in swifts around this area in the last couple of weeks. Ger.

 

[mark apusapus smyth]

Squidge the increase is due to the arrival of non breeders. The may not be of breeding age but they need to find a nest site. This morning there was a screaming party of around 20 going around my house.

Partridge why don't you put up some swifts boxes? They are cheap to make. A triple chamber box will cost under £10 including budgie concaves from them to nest on

 

[mark apusapus smyth]

swifts at my house this morning
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrIssJvh6oQ

 

[squidge]

Thats excellent Mark, Do you have any problems with the neighbours as regards noise or are they understanding and wildlife friendly. Might put up a couple of boxes at side of my house but not sure of the impact on neighbours. Thanks Ger.

 

[mark apusapus smyth]

nobody has ever commented about the lure playing or the screaming swifts. Many now ask how the birds are doing. One passes every night at 10 to see what's happening.

If you get boxes up now there is an excellent chance they will come for a look. Some may enter boxes. They will remember to come back next year and hopefully breed.

I always recommend two or three nest boxes because they will fight over a single box. Make them from at least 10mm exterior ply

 

[squidge]

Thanks for the info. I will probably put up 3 boxes but it will be for next season. :t:

 

[mark apusapus smyth]

squidge if you did it now and I mailed you the CD lure you could be attracting swifts by the weekend.

Today a swift inspected one of my boxes for 20 minutes. Hopefully it will return with a mate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWF77Yt7a0s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5jsYt2Lhwo

 

[mark apusapus smyth]

Fight!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xoovoFCx6s

but after 4 hours they are happy to sit side by side on the nest hollow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzTmFRoNuI0

 

[mark apusapus smyth]

two swifts have a 'chat' across the divide
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJp83tzgeOM