Re: swift

Hi everyone

every year i have house martins under the eaves of my house.I have many concrete nests for them and they also make their own mud creations.This month (may) i have a group of swifts who keep visiting my concrete martin nests,they bang on the nests and fly round them,they swirl round in the sky very fast and coming swooping in and bang the nests repeatedly. 7am and 9.10pm,twice every day! Last night 1 of the swifts actually spent all night long hanging onto the outside of one of the concrete nests. Any ideas why the swifts have suddenly shown an interest in my house. Never seen swifts here before,let alone had them interested in housemartin nests??? Should i put up a swift nest? All the best nesting site on the house have been taken up with martin nests. Has anyone else had this happen? Cheers!

Yes yes yes...definitely put up a swift nest if you can do that!!! Their nesting sites are constantly under threat and providing suitable boxes or roof cavities for them is one of the best ways to help them. If they are already inspecting the site then you have a great chance of enticing them in! Have a look at our swift box here.

It may be that your roof space does have cavities in that could be suitable for swifts already, if so, observe their behaviour and see if you spy them going into any holes. If you find any swift nest sites please record them via our swift survey linked here.

Hi Diana, that would be great if you could install a swift box, welcome to the forum from the Irish fraternity , I am a Lincolnshire lad myself from Boston, but now living out here in the wilds of Ireland, where are you living in Lincolnshire?

regards Mick

Hi Mick, Yes im kinda hoping to get a swift box,one that has a tiny opening as we have many sparrows and starlings that steal nestingboxes/sites which is a shame. My problem being all the good sides of the house(for nest sites) have been taken by the house martins,which only leaves the south facing side,which gets way too hot in summer. So Not quite sure what to do? Im not far from Boston in a place called Gedney.where in Ireland are you living now? Diana

Well done on the swift lol. Quick question I have seen Swallows and Martins flying around my house but under the eaves of my house it sticks out a bit could they still nest their?

Thanks

DD

Hi DD If your eaves provide shade from the sun they may well start nesting & if you have mud in your area? I guess you do as you probably have been having plenty of rain like most of us lol. D

There is plenty of mud but when we moved in the house last august their was no nests. I think its luck if they nest on your house lol

You could try putting up a concrete martin house for them,this may encourage them to build their mud nests next to it.

True, i will give it a try.

Thanks!!!! :D