Forest Hill SE23 & Lewisham Borough Swift Group recently put four swift boxes on Valentines Court - block 33-47. We are also looking at installing some swift boxes on Pikethorne on South Road where there is currently scaffolding erected and works undergoing.
Forest Hill SE23 & Lewisham Borough Swift Group aims to try and help our local swifts by installing nest boxes in the area. Swifts are amazing birds that come to the UK from Africa every summer to nest. They sleep and eat on the wing and almost never stop flying, only ever landing to nest when they get to us!
We used to get loads of swifts in SE23 but their numbers have really declined, as they have across the UK. This is mainly due to loss of nest sites through roof repairs, building renovations and demolition of old buildings.
We are looking for residents of both buildings to help us help our swifts!
We need to be able to play swift calls to attract swifts to the new nest boxes and encourage them to occupy them. Without playing swift attraction calls, swifts may take years to find their new nests! We are looking for residents who would be willing to play swift calls out of their window to help attract them. All that is needed is a CD (which we will supply) and a CD player, or an MP3 player (we can supply these if needed and we are happy to help with running costs if needed). The calls only need to be played for a couple of hours each day or for however long is possible. Morning and around dusk time is best but will be subject to neighbours and not annoying them.
If anyone thinks they can help or would like to find out more please do get in touch via this forum or our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/1700377583561148/
Rebecca