Nest boxes have been installed in Malvern Link to help the British swift population whose numbers are in decline.
12 distinct swift boxes were constructed and installed on Monday 2 May at four homes around the Link Top area in Malvern Link, as part of a biodiversity project funded by Malvern Hills District Council.
There are 11 further boxes to be installed on another five houses in Malvern.
The project was led by Simon Evans, Worcester and Malvern RSPB group member, in an effort to help these threatened birds.
The project took the May bank holiday as an opportunity to help the British swift population as the first birds reappear in this country, after their journey of several thousand miles from Africa.
Swifts nest almost exclusively on buildings, and the cracks and crevices in roofs that they seek are in short supply due to modern building methods and materials.
Cllr John Raine, Ward Member for West Malvern, provided funding from his Annual Ward Budget towards the ongoing development of the project in the future.
Cllr Raine said: “We were so pleased to be able to fund such an important project, the increased nesting sites will really help support the swift population as the places where they like to breed are in decline, so they need our help. Thank you to the residents involved who have made this possible”.
Simon Evans said: “I am really grateful for the response I got from the householders in my neighbourhood, and I hope we can roll this out to other areas of Malvern in the future.”
If anyone would like to run a similar project, swift boxes are available from Simon Evans at £10 per box, which includes a donation of £2.50 to the Worcester and Malvern RSPB local group project fund, delivery and advice on siting them. Email Simon sjandjw@gmail.com for more information.
