Swift conservation in Sussex in 2020 A summary by David Campbell, Sussex Ornithological Society Swift Champion It is necessary to refer briefly to the tedious COVID-19 pandemic, as Swift conservation was inevitably compromised by the situation this year. Indoor meetings were either impossible or difficult to organise, while surveys and installation of boxes […]
Category: Swifts & Hirundines
The aim of this section of the site is (1) to focus attention on the need to protect, wherever possible, the nesting sites of Swifts in Sussex. These birds are declining for several reasons, one being due to their nesting areas being destroyed. In conjunction with Edward Mayer and www.swift-conservation.org. it is hoped that we can continue to highlight the help that can be given to these wonderful birds; and (2) to focus similar attention on hirundines, notably the red-listed House Martin but also Swallows and Sand Martins.
Lewes Swift Group – November Newsletter
Here is a review of the work done in Lewes to increase the number of Swifts finding nesting boxes in 2021. Audrey Wende swifts@sos.org.uk
Lewes Swift Group – Autumn Newsletter
Although the covid-19 regulations reduced much of the Swift survey work done in Lewes, members of the Lewes Swift Supporters Group did well, and this is their end of season report. Audrey Wende swifts@sos.org.uk
Lewes Swift Supporters Group Newsletter
A good read here
Logging Swifts on BirdTrack
If you’re fortunate enough to have a Swift colony near where you live, now is an ideal time to take an evening walk around your neighbourhood and log any low-flying parties of Swifts or evidence of nest sites on BirdTrack. Please include as much detail as possible on behaviour and location, ideally including an address […]
Swifts – April 2020
We can’t go very far to see birds right now but we can be glad there’s no virus stopping avian globetrotting. Birds are still coming to us, as ever. After the months of anticipation, the pace at which one species after another floods in still surprises each year. Most of our spring migrants are in […]
The Swift Report for 2019
For a second year Swifts experienced cold and wet weather as they migrated north out of Africa into Europe across the Mediterranean, and many birds died from cold and starvation. Eventually our birds arrived back to their nesting sites and by June and July breeding was being documented in Birdtrack, with six figure grid references. […]
Swifts – The birds you can help!
A message from Edward Mayer: Dear Swift Friends, Please do come and meet me and listen to my talk about Swifts and how you can help them! It’s at the amazing Booth Museum in Brighton this Friday 21 June at 2pm. Book your seat by clicking here and see you there! Best wishes, Edward www.swift-conservation.org
Swifts In Trouble This Year
The following article was written in one of our national newspapers dated 13th June 2019 Conservationists are growing increasingly concerned about the late arrival of Swifts to the UK this year. Many returning after spending the winter in Africa are arriving around two weeks late, according to the RSPB which is campaigning to save the […]
Swift Calls
A message from Edward Mayer: “Dear Swift Friends & Colleagues, My Swifts came back yesterday, so it is time to switch on your Swift calls! All the best for a great Swift Season, Yours, Edward” Click here for swift calls instructions