BETWEEN 1995 and 2015 UK swift numbers fell by at least 51 per cent and the decline continues. This has put them on the amber list of threatened bird species in the UK.

To raise the plight of swifts the third UK, swift awareness week will take place from Saturday, June 27, to Sunday, July 5.

Kingsteignton swift enthusiast Alistair Whybrow will this year post an information leaflet on the northern Kingsteignton churchyard gate for the week and also be at the church lych gate on Thursday, July 2, from 7.30pm for an hour with free information leaflets and examples of swift boxes.

People can look for the swifts that are nesting in the seven nest boxes that are behind the right hand louvre above the church clock and also in the nearby old mill building. Hopefully these aerobatic birds will also put on a good display, if it is a warm summer evening, as they should be flying at low level around the roof tops at high speed screaming as they go.

Background

Alistair says: ‘Swifts are remarkable birds as they spend almost their entire life in the air where they feed, sleep, mate and migrate between the Europe and Africa. They only land on return to the UK (when they are about 2 to 3 years old) from the beginning of May to early August, to nest and raise young.

‘It is thought the main reason for the decline is that their established nest sites are inadvertently destroyed during building renovations or reroofing and with no new provision or other suitable sites nearby, they cannot breed and they die out.

‘If Kingsteignton residents, especially those living in the vicinity of the church, put up purpose designed nest boxes on the eaves of their houses in suitable places it would give the opportunity for swifts to nest and will help to safeguard the local swift population for future generations to enjoy.

‘Patience is needed though as it may take up to 4 or 5 years to get any signs of interest but if swifts don’t use them initially other bird species such as blue tits or sparrows may make use of them.

‘There is lots of information on the internet on swifts including how to either make suitable nest boxes or where they can be purchased and even webcams that follow the ups and downs of a pair of nesting swifts.

Specialist websites include: