They’ve made it again,
Which means the globe’s still working, the Creation’s
Still waking refreshed, our summer’s
Still all to come —

Ted Hughes 1973

Swifts undoubtedly have a place in our affections. After fledging, these amazing enigmatic birds spend their life on the wing, only touching down to breed. They sleep, drink and feed while flying, they form screaming parties and circle around their nest sites, their dark wings flickering against the evening sky. Oh, and every year they travel 14000 miles migrating to and from Africa.

Swift numbers, though, are falling rapidly; insect depletion is, of course, a big problem, as it is for so many species. But a lack of nest sites is also a problem for swifts. They have come to depend on our houses for nest sites but modern materials and roof repairs mean that the gaps and crevices they need are disappearing. Swift bricks, bricks with built in nest chambers, are an excellent solution for new houses as they get built and conservation groups are increasingly getting involved in lobbying for them at the planning stage. For existing houses, though, swift boxes are a more practical solution.

This will be my fourth year being involved with swift box projects in communities. They present a few challenges and here are a few things I have learnt.

1. Putting up swift boxes is in no way similar to putting up nest boxes for, say, blue tits. It may take many years for the boxes to be used, which means they need to be long-lasting (made of marine ply for instance). Playing the sound of screaming swifts (using a 'swift caller') will help the chances of a box getting used sooner.
2. Swift boxes are best placed higher than five meters, so putting them up is best done by someone trained to work at heights. It takes time, effort and money to put up swift boxes. Putting up multiple boxes on the same house is an efficient method and works well because swifts like to nest in colonies.
3. Because of the way swifts fly in, they need space in front and below the box - no trees or other buildings immediately in front or extensions or garages below. Also, unless the boxes will be well shaded by the eaves, it's best to avoid having them facing south. 
4. If resources are limited then it's best to put swift boxes up close to sites where swifts already nest as they are more likely to be used and you are helping the colony to grow. Swift boxes in other places are still a good thing, though.

For the above reasons a swift box 'project' needs to be carefully thought out. Funding may be needed - try local organisations or councillors - to pay for the boxes to be installed. I often find that householders are willing to pay for the boxes themselves. Swift walks on summer evenings are a good way of locating areas with established nesting swifts and can increase community awareness. The Swiftmapper App and local birding groups are also useful for location. The UK public love swifts but they often confuse them with martins and swallows so beware!

For my first swift project in 2022 I printed out leaflets asking for interested householders and distributed them in my street. Out of 65 houses, I got 20 positive responses, which I thought was great. I made the boxes myself to the RSPB 'shoebox' design and got funding from Malvern Hills District Council (MHDC) to pay someone to put them up. The Council and I were keen to publicise this and from then on various community groups tended to approach me about these projects. I did more in Malvern in 2023 and in several local villages in 2024.

Talking about swifts to a local WI group has prompted the first project this year and I have more in the pipeline. I now get good quality boxes made by the Worcester Environmental Group and pass them on at cost to householders. I have also found that if I leaflet houses with scaffolding up, and the owners are interested, then the builders will often put the boxes up for them.

Many thanks to MHDC, Malvern Hills National Landscape Partnership, Green councillors John Raine, Jules Wood and Jenny Barnes and Clifton upon Teme Parish Council who have all generously provided funding for our projects.

I would be delighted if this blog inspires other groups or individuals to do a local swift box project and I am very happy to offer guidance. Also any householders who would like swift boxes or have information on local swift nest sites are very welcome to contact me through the Trust.