Seems like we’ve hardly had a summer and it’s over already. For swifts anyway. These seasonal visitors are starting to take wing. So now’s the time to get on my usual August attire of jumper and raincoat and catch one last look.
Why on earth would migratory birds from Africa choose to come here for (non)summer?! But if the swifts are going to pick a home anywhere along the Lagan, the RSPB Headquarters in Belvoir Park should be it.
First among equals - the swift is the consummate flight specialist
These high-flying househunters are choosy. Spending all their lives in the air, feeding, mating, even sleeping, only stopping when they find the perfect nest site. Which is increasingly rare these days as swifts like to nest high in old, crumbling, poorly sealed stone and brick houses. And there are not too many of those left around.
Swift boxes at RSPB NIHQ, Belvoir Park Forest
Fortunately, the Belvoir Park headquarters is just the kind of building swifts love. So the RSPB hopes to attract swifts with custom-made nest boxes (as part of the Laganscape conservation programme). Installed this spring, the boxes offer all the creature comforts to appeal to even the fussiest bird’s nesting instincts – a small opening so they can fly straight in and have a safe weatherproof nook to feed and raise their young. And tucked high under the eaves so the birds can drop straight into the air. Even a recording of that distinctive screeching cry to lure them in – how could any swift resist?
The swifts leave by mid-August, so the RSPB has two windows of opportunity per season. Late June/early July when the new generation of swifts are househunting for next year, or early May when they return and are looking to nest. In recent weeks young swifts have been spotted (and heard) in the vicinity of the boxes. So fingers crossed for next spring!
For more information on all things swiftian, visit to http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/, http://www.biodiversityni.com/. Or if you want to know how you can provide next year’s summer holiday home for swifts, go to http://www.swift-conservation.org/. It’s never too early to start looking into nest boxes and sites.
Have you spotted any swifts in or around the Park? They are noisy neighbours prone to loud parties and screaming, so you can’t miss them!
I've been watching the ospreys at Loch Garten and have just discovered this blog. I could actually come to see you - may do that one of these days.
I hope you will come to the Lagan Valley Park and let us know what you spot - the amount of wildlife is amazing. Check out the reaches above Shaws Bridge for a glimpse of a kingfisher.
Siobhan