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Seen any swifts flying around?
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LewishamSwifts


Posts: 1
Joined: May 2018
Post: #1
25-05-2018 04:41 PM

Swifts are known to be nesting in Forest Hill (in Kilmorie Road off Stanstead Road and in Wynell Road off Perry Vale). Swifts are summer visitors to the UK; they migrate here to nest and reproduce and are only seen from May to August.

Lewisham Swifts is inviting people to look out for swifts and report their sightings to us so that we can record them on a Lewisham-wide map. There is information on our blog about how to report swift sightings and, if you're really keen, how to volunteer to do a swift survey.

Swift numbers have been declining for years. One of the reasons is that swifts nest in buildings (eg in roof soffits) but modern building materials don't have small spaces that swifts can nest in. Swifts pair for life and return to the same nest year after year. Swift enthusiasts across the UK are trying to reverse the decline by finding swift nests and engaging with building owners to let them know how to protect their nests. Installing nest boxes or 'swift bricks' near an existing swift colony also helps to increase the number of potential nest sites. 10 swift nest boxes were installed at the top of Wynell Road earlier this month in a joint initiative between Lewisham Swifts, Lewisham Homes and the Forest Hill Fire Brigade.

Lewisham Swifts was originally called the "Forest Hill and Lewisham Swift Group" and was created three years ago by a Wynell Road resident who had swifts nesting near her own home. The group is now spreading its attention borough-wide but as the Wynell and Kilmorie colonies were the original inspiration for creating the group, SE23 pride is at stake if we are to maintain our position as the borough's pre-eminent swift supporters. So please do look out for swifts and let us know if you see them. We're particularly keen to find nest sites in other parts of Forest Hill, especially on the west side of the railway as we're not aware (yet!) of any swifts nesting there. Thank you!

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Seen any swifts flying around? - LewishamSwifts - 25-05-2018 04:41 PM

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