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Post by twinkle on Mar 13, 2019 20:48:08 GMT
RSPB are giving instructions how to make a swift box as they are in decline. They also sell them. I am thinking of trying to make one but it's where to put it. Who has swift boxes?
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Post by matt on Mar 13, 2019 21:04:35 GMT
I also got an email, Twinkle. I would like to try it, but we live in a bungalow. They mention 5m minimum height, which I could do but only on the gable ends, which have roof tiles at about a 40 degree angle going to the ridge. I wonder how one could fit one in this situation? The problem is that it wouldn't fit snugly under the eaves, but I don't know if that is an issue. Would love to hear if anyone else has fitted in this situation - I think there are a few people on here with them (Benn?).
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Post by WildlifePaul on Mar 13, 2019 21:05:42 GMT
Me and ben have them for first time this year, If you want to attract swifts though isn't as simple as just sticking a box on your wall, You need to install speakers by the nest box and play swift calls between 8am - 11am then at few hours before dusk to attract them to the new nest site. Best site with all information is bristol swifts www.bristolswifts.co.uk/You can buy the swift calls here www.swift-conservation.org/Shopping!.htm Without playing the swift calls chances of your box being used is pretty slim, You will need to buy a few things to play the swift calls over. You can find all the info for that here - actionforswifts.blogspot.com/p/attraction-call-systems-for-swifts.htmlEven playing the calls might not lead to a nest for a few years, But playing the calls daily when they arrive back in may will up your chances greatly. If you buy one and get all the stuff to play the calls etc good luck with it. I am sure Ben will add more to this but them three sites give you all the info you'll need to know. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2019 8:55:37 GMT
I spent 4 weeks modifying four RSPB boxes using the tips from the Bristol Swift site. The Gable end should be fine Matt as long as the house next door is not too close. Something like this might work well for a gable end: Swift Gable End Colony boxPaul is correct, the swift call is the silver bullet in attracting them. It is relatively cheap and simple to set up. Give me a shout if you need the recordings as I have a mp3 file of calls I can email with advice on what equipment to buy to play it. |
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Post by matt on Mar 14, 2019 9:15:11 GMT
Nice link Benn - plenty of food for thought there, and I'm already scheming something for next year  |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 14, 2019 11:20:16 GMT
Nice link Benn - plenty of food for thought there, and I'm already scheming something for next year Just one thing I spotted about that Gable end design, I would put the entrances near the bottom of each cavity not near the top. Swifts are not good on their feet when on the ground, hopping up to an entrance would be hard for them. |
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Post by twinkle on Mar 16, 2019 20:24:44 GMT
I read that swifts have to go up in the box hole as that slows them down.
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Post by sammi on May 22, 2019 8:28:23 GMT
I was just wondering if anyone has had any swift success. We saw swifts circling overhead yesterday.  |
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