Nest boxes installed in Malvern Link to help district's dwindling swift population - The Malvern Observer

Nest boxes installed in Malvern Link to help district's dwindling swift population

Malvern Editorial 18th May, 2022   0

NEST boxes have been installed in Malvern Link to help the British swift population whose numbers are in decline.

A total of 12 distinct swift boxes were constructed and installed earlier this month at four homes around the Link Top area as part of a biodiversity project funded by Malvern Hills District Council.

A further 11 boxes are due to be installed on another five houses in Malvern.

The project was led by Worcester and Malvern RSPB group member Simon Evans in an effort to help the threatened birds.




The May bank holiday was used as an opportunity to help the British swift population as the first birds reappeared 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 they seek are in short supply due to modern building methods and materials.


Coun John Raine, West Malvern ward member, provided funding from his Annual Ward Budget towards the ongoing development of the project in the future.

He 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 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.”

Anyone wanting to run a similar project can buy swift boxes from Simon for £10 per box, which includes a £2.50 donation to the Worcester and Malvern RSPB local group project fund, delivery and advice on siting them.

Email Simon [email protected] for more information.

 

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