SWIFT ADVICE FROM MARK GLANVILLE
Mark and His wife Jane kindly came to check out our swift boes and locations and gave valuable feedback. See Mark's story at Lyndale Avenue Bristol and other photos in the picture gallery below. They was a Swift Supper on 31st March at LS Village Hall 7.00pm and Mark gave a talk to all swift box holders and supporters.
See also our main swift page.
Mark and His wife Jane kindly came to check out our swift boes and locations and gave valuable feedback. See Mark's story at Lyndale Avenue Bristol and other photos in the picture gallery below. They was a Swift Supper on 31st March at LS Village Hall 7.00pm and Mark gave a talk to all swift box holders and supporters.
See also our main swift page.
Mark's Story of Swift Box Design Development
- FLEWG advise that this story is essential reading for those building their own or choosing a pre-made design.
- FLEWG advise that this story is essential reading for those building their own or choosing a pre-made design.
SITE LOCATIONS
All our sites are good. Mandy and Steve's box is too far back from the front elevation.. It will damage the wing. Bring forward to near the gable elevation of the house. A hole in the end of the box as per Mandy and Steve's box is a successful technique that Mark has used.
The nearer to the existing colony will tend to get faster results but distance from colony not a problem. Swifts cover a lot of ground. Proximity of river not critical (though swifts use rivers and motorways to help navigate).
Elevations not so critical as we thought .Even south elevations if summer not too hot. Mark has boxes on all elevations.
A site over a sloping conservatory will be OK . Need at least 1.5m straight drop and rest can be sloped away.
Near tree branches not good.
WIRES
Electricity / telephone wires not a problem to swifts . Mark has plenty in his road and it does not cause an issue for the swifts.
LANDING ASSISTANCE
Little landing ladder important
'No nails' spread in bands ..and paint black.
60% slope required up to the boxe hole.
BLOCK NEST HOLES
Block nest holes until swifts around .. Or you will get sparrows
Clear out any sparrows nests and seal up.
HOLE SIZE
Consider making holes as small as 22mm to deter other birds
CAMERA
Camera .. Mark has given the following link to a supplier he uses. http://www.spycameracctv.com/spycamera/usb-receiver-cctv-wireless-infrared-day-night-hidden-spy-camera-system
SWIFT SOUNDS
Play sounds to suite you and your neighbours .. Not critical
Avoid wet or windy weather .. Calm is key clouds no problem.
Sounds do need to be near the holes ..as near as possible or in the box.
Sound playing last week of May onwards . No point before then. The young come back and are looking for the new boxes.
Timers not so critical if householders around in the day.
BUILD THE NEST IN THE NEST BOX IF POSSIBLE (see photo above)
Build a nest with down etc in the box saves a year..otherwise the first year they are building the nest and you will get no eggs. Careful not to have things that could trap a swifts leg.
CLEAN OUT ( Helps protect from the louse fly crataerina hirundinis.
If possible Hoover out nest between seasons. Louse fly bugs do not affect humans at all. Bugs are bought in by swifts who have visited infested boxes. May not occur. Not critical to clean out but bugs take blood from swifts and it cannot but help swifts to remove bugs.
