There is very little research on acceptable parameters for Swift nest boxes, so we have to rely on anecdotes. This is an example of Swifts nesting in a very small space indeed, perhaps giving a lower bound on what Swifts might find acceptable.
We are grateful to Catherine Day for talking about Shepcot House at the Bristol Swift Conference, Nov 2019 and to Mike Priaulx for the pictures and the information below.
Shepcot House in Enfield is due for renovation, but it already housed a thriving colony of 27 pairs of Swifts. These birds have lost their nest sites, but 68 Ibstock Swift bricks in the new development have been provided,
installed with the guidance of an ecologist (Middlemarch Environmental)
during 2019
(see swift-conservation.org/news.htm and search for 'shepcot')
The Swifts have been nesting in spaces 4cm high x 6.5cm deep x 26cm long behind the panels. They nested in the slots from the 2nd slot up in the picture on the left. The lowest slots with breeding Swifts are estimated at a little over 4 metres.
One of the slabs has fallen off allowing close inspection of the space behind, as in the pictures below.
[Also of relevance is this post about Swifts breeding in a House Martin's nest : actionforswifts.com/2012/11/swifts-nesting-in-house-martin-nests.html]
We are grateful to Catherine Day for talking about Shepcot House at the Bristol Swift Conference, Nov 2019 and to Mike Priaulx for the pictures and the information below.
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| Andy Potter - local Swift enthusiast |
(see swift-conservation.org/news.htm and search for 'shepcot')
The Swifts have been nesting in spaces 4cm high x 6.5cm deep x 26cm long behind the panels. They nested in the slots from the 2nd slot up in the picture on the left. The lowest slots with breeding Swifts are estimated at a little over 4 metres.
One of the slabs has fallen off allowing close inspection of the space behind, as in the pictures below.
Some of the panels have swifts nesting at both ends of the panel. Others are not used, and may have less space behind.
Most
of the occupied panels face due south, so the panels must provide a degree of thermal insulation. The south elevation has the most open
aspect and the unhindered flight line seems to be a factor.
There
seemed to be no record of this Swift colony prior to it being
highlighted during the construction works, so it is not known how soon
these buildings were colonised after their construction during the
1960s.
There was a planning condition for
nestboxes but the new provision by Countryside Properties has been
voluntary, based on the ecologist's advice.
Here is a link by the developer: https://www.
Here is a link by the developer: https://www.
[Also of relevance is this post about Swifts breeding in a House Martin's nest : actionforswifts.com/2012/11/swifts-nesting-in-house-martin-nests.html]
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| The Swifts did not nest in this slot, as the front slab had fallen off |
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| Slot height is a little over 4 cm |
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| Slot depth is about 6.5 cm |
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