tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49455985655547930232024-03-16T01:09:10.121+00:00Action for SwiftsWelcome to Action for Swifts, a commentary on the activities, of people who care about Swifts. We welcome guest posts, especially from Swifts Local Network (SLN) members. Please send to <a href="mailto:actionforswifts@gmail.com">actionforswifts@gmail.com</a> for publication. Also see our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Action-for-Swifts-1004173086267940/">Facebook page </a> for more stories and case studiesAction for Swiftshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833205471411004146noreply@blogger.comBlogger334125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945598565554793023.post-85445034848926214792023-04-21T19:17:00.004+01:002023-04-22T18:20:46.508+01:00Another Cambridge System implementation<p><i>The Cambridge System seems to be well-liked by Swifts. Perhaps they like the seclusion afforded by having to travel through a tunnel to reach their nesting place. </i><i>Wherever there is unused roof-space, an attic affords the opportunity to install internal nest boxes accessed via an entrance in the outer leaf, and a tunnel connecting the entrance to the nest box. It requires less disruption of the existing brickwork than installing a Swift brick. </i><i>We were sent pictures of another project, where an opportunity was grasped during a renovation of an old building. </i></p><p>Sarah and Dave Richards live on the outskirts of Southport, in a semi-rural location. They fell in love with swifts when hearing their screaming parties during lockdown 2020. They decided to help them by installing Cambridge System internal nest boxes. The Cambridge System was dreamed up by Bill Murrells in 2014. It is essentially the same system as that implemented in the highly successful Fulbourn project.</p><p>With the helpful guidance from Tanya and Edmund Hoare of Sedbergh Community Swifts and their builder on board, they created 4 internal nesting spaces and 2 clay cavity liner nest boxes in the gable end of the house. </p><p>A calling system will be installed and fingers will be kept crossed.</p><p>The pictures below are essentially self explanatory:</p><p><b>Making an entrance piece</b></p><p>Each nest place has an entrance hole crafted from a high density thermalite block that's been cut to brick size. To cut a 29x66mm entrance hole, a 28mm drill bit was used with a file to finish. The entrance hole is slightly larger on the outside before tapering down to 29x66mm.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii280zc28wLYVfwg31bLPqM2-9sopS2liV9Af1JM7eznyiK3iHR-LoxEel0hB_95zDZtdJM4pk1fSFOyyzPyVgwIt7ygG80HoDp6FWdwtVEg7rMgVAyQu_-xIpGDtsBBoXB2w49p49mcT4HDbolpmNGe-Kk1gEPPr7vRQC7xodX8DWwEtBaDc_VOPwsw/s640/image0%20(9).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii280zc28wLYVfwg31bLPqM2-9sopS2liV9Af1JM7eznyiK3iHR-LoxEel0hB_95zDZtdJM4pk1fSFOyyzPyVgwIt7ygG80HoDp6FWdwtVEg7rMgVAyQu_-xIpGDtsBBoXB2w49p49mcT4HDbolpmNGe-Kk1gEPPr7vRQC7xodX8DWwEtBaDc_VOPwsw/s320/image0%20(9).jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhC55izp5bNZf4_mcE68bgkH0tIH6qv3YsPA-6xVt6XtVwOZqBavrKKAwwCsO8oUSNs7BRzUc9JCW8GxeXTq-8FPyf6E0qC-AIhmZy0e5yGYcd7bFJ8eooeDDcxgJytUs6QrObGfp--41GsaZ55iJXoj_BXVOrQ1Em7Uq0cBumybulyPFS41lh6NJUA/s640/image1%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhC55izp5bNZf4_mcE68bgkH0tIH6qv3YsPA-6xVt6XtVwOZqBavrKKAwwCsO8oUSNs7BRzUc9JCW8GxeXTq-8FPyf6E0qC-AIhmZy0e5yGYcd7bFJ8eooeDDcxgJytUs6QrObGfp--41GsaZ55iJXoj_BXVOrQ1Em7Uq0cBumybulyPFS41lh6NJUA/s320/image1%20(1).jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0Q5opA6OHrsNxu4ZGO-8qGvMTaZlkh0gIlq8fMJ0Jydjx3sZkCSPrwDHbLLOQlzXCOb-8sOkZ52_fsMJTKFDJx8n3vLds7ELnwNX3Lki2SYUnsU7gsDUbFoEZWtaounNTEYh93MPxV_e8GTA-16yEYoPh6DWgwJ46lHo7eBQTZofq2gQIUudxAW59A/s640/image2%20(2).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0Q5opA6OHrsNxu4ZGO-8qGvMTaZlkh0gIlq8fMJ0Jydjx3sZkCSPrwDHbLLOQlzXCOb-8sOkZ52_fsMJTKFDJx8n3vLds7ELnwNX3Lki2SYUnsU7gsDUbFoEZWtaounNTEYh93MPxV_e8GTA-16yEYoPh6DWgwJ46lHo7eBQTZofq2gQIUudxAW59A/s320/image2%20(2).jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4WnILFFnyWXCGSsamBjAbuaGAi4pN7J_gXhsj1ubzHUIHHa7i5OtkVWGzy0NC6C4YYFM9OaF5m59gBMaEJmwHZNQ-v9_gwTv-RxllWSLaTHXXasO32jpl7ZSxo0Ns1wvLrzniDfegr69uNPeWF3NMO3pUe376Zc2F-irif5gLfrGGnkq5xFTBKAyDA/s640/image3%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4WnILFFnyWXCGSsamBjAbuaGAi4pN7J_gXhsj1ubzHUIHHa7i5OtkVWGzy0NC6C4YYFM9OaF5m59gBMaEJmwHZNQ-v9_gwTv-RxllWSLaTHXXasO32jpl7ZSxo0Ns1wvLrzniDfegr69uNPeWF3NMO3pUe376Zc2F-irif5gLfrGGnkq5xFTBKAyDA/s320/image3%20(1).jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRdF00l9sUpXdluG_bx7iJK30ujTg_t8SvE_ZvvICHnWJlaWvg4Nvpo3LMBN1KbnqW5KVF349TPiZP1-6FZDWHHhk48ID30zBhxgLTkuFAKpzJHJ-sjv-OilakQMMsvQdfqg0XD1fOTYvi0r4NzanfiVxdJ9p0lmvMv5xi5PA7kcGKAdwbu_bsfhRMQ/s640/image4%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRdF00l9sUpXdluG_bx7iJK30ujTg_t8SvE_ZvvICHnWJlaWvg4Nvpo3LMBN1KbnqW5KVF349TPiZP1-6FZDWHHhk48ID30zBhxgLTkuFAKpzJHJ-sjv-OilakQMMsvQdfqg0XD1fOTYvi0r4NzanfiVxdJ9p0lmvMv5xi5PA7kcGKAdwbu_bsfhRMQ/s320/image4%20(1).jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><b>Installing the boxes</b><div>A 4 inch earthenware pipe runs the breadth of the cavity and the inner wall. Inside are 380x230x210mm plywood boxes located within the loft. <div><p>All boxes have a removable plywood back. </p><p>The plywood boxes are secured to the inner wall with brackets. Within these boxes, we've installed a false floor with 100mm circular cut out so as to avoid the nesting area being raised. All plywood used is 12mm. We intend to fill the edges of the cut outs so as to make them concave. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmpMyliPQ705e9Zytgo6eWVtk0uamHLtRTiNp-Q1uvp17yx-GF1hoiTSHynQJH4NyAf-tkEF-GfZOmubmYsS8g8ZOsH0RDCTPRVgG2AL8WSGmf508pXtzP_bbB3Na44jbfGpdwo7ze4lIENLKID-XIrsXGbNkQJxaPr_wa0whJ3_LDy6280lpEFYyJQ/s1024/image4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmpMyliPQ705e9Zytgo6eWVtk0uamHLtRTiNp-Q1uvp17yx-GF1hoiTSHynQJH4NyAf-tkEF-GfZOmubmYsS8g8ZOsH0RDCTPRVgG2AL8WSGmf508pXtzP_bbB3Na44jbfGpdwo7ze4lIENLKID-XIrsXGbNkQJxaPr_wa0whJ3_LDy6280lpEFYyJQ/s320/image4.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZ1Nn4nfqbwsVIbU-VTvbGIB--_fnonXEnj-drKez7aGrtudWQm0MSwHJSsCyC3gC0BtH5FNnFrvyaZHCgv0Fyey3Bw9ml9cZTSQUWpk2esEd840oEULk7uzrOQLfuTqXaAaBqQ15GabakzZIcvQz-eS5NedSPbyB_9u8IfdZV4a7FMXy8CYpNKlvnw/s1024/image5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZ1Nn4nfqbwsVIbU-VTvbGIB--_fnonXEnj-drKez7aGrtudWQm0MSwHJSsCyC3gC0BtH5FNnFrvyaZHCgv0Fyey3Bw9ml9cZTSQUWpk2esEd840oEULk7uzrOQLfuTqXaAaBqQ15GabakzZIcvQz-eS5NedSPbyB_9u8IfdZV4a7FMXy8CYpNKlvnw/s320/image5.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1ybYbeVe3_OqJMBEpHvL3yIqyUZQnoxkrEkHOWDlovK0uZIzUkQpNNdTrGhVO2OwoYM7xd5Jry1RIGUAQeUX3_FarIPx-ET0--_OloJAV0ee4PXmuwknvfdvFvo3l1-JXi0IZNZ5SyYWQYVb3PffhEx8_fGqy3_gN_6lieO0ztSuNfQX4OhuwnzgLQ/s1024/image12.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1ybYbeVe3_OqJMBEpHvL3yIqyUZQnoxkrEkHOWDlovK0uZIzUkQpNNdTrGhVO2OwoYM7xd5Jry1RIGUAQeUX3_FarIPx-ET0--_OloJAV0ee4PXmuwknvfdvFvo3l1-JXi0IZNZ5SyYWQYVb3PffhEx8_fGqy3_gN_6lieO0ztSuNfQX4OhuwnzgLQ/s320/image12.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHAgrdMJZ2IZFIImrcwwNHHBxb__YMzXGjSqouGQsMRjHuYEfjtKCwAjb5lqyVgS53sZb7_DH8owfMcdT7UBypCEmNe-C7aZAUzvsm3v2CUCQAbhZmowpf_iV6yh_lHyL9yvXtc_k2uUpG6leZPoMtwKfXsEqSdIVyrm3IeqzdoSHLGj7r9VAL40BAQ/s1024/image13.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVHAgrdMJZ2IZFIImrcwwNHHBxb__YMzXGjSqouGQsMRjHuYEfjtKCwAjb5lqyVgS53sZb7_DH8owfMcdT7UBypCEmNe-C7aZAUzvsm3v2CUCQAbhZmowpf_iV6yh_lHyL9yvXtc_k2uUpG6leZPoMtwKfXsEqSdIVyrm3IeqzdoSHLGj7r9VAL40BAQ/s320/image13.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDg4p3fVYOAQzozsLyopB0YKlXzaoDSKC3affzal8KXh0K9f7G1oFYPl57OejoMP0fBumLqbjZklg31H_hmu5KSqGrekBQPV_el2z_a3lR5BOkc18AOjnxYgM2zvFhyUtpy89j7rhLqltSz5TAzu_XKANGpPcaehXzht70GzwQl2IlNJqVfUW3b49QQ/s1024/image14.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDg4p3fVYOAQzozsLyopB0YKlXzaoDSKC3affzal8KXh0K9f7G1oFYPl57OejoMP0fBumLqbjZklg31H_hmu5KSqGrekBQPV_el2z_a3lR5BOkc18AOjnxYgM2zvFhyUtpy89j7rhLqltSz5TAzu_XKANGpPcaehXzht70GzwQl2IlNJqVfUW3b49QQ/s320/image14.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-06QaZAS_bdMdqV_3KPwiBqcWmMpP51hGJYgz6wWI4yrnhSeSOhfohk9t28pz2V88nftU_48YQfHrwIVzpPX-eOeIwZd0Z8wQzprQbM0aoXHSg_CTeMC_a7-Yz8d5zZF_zxDL_-4N-iLYrB9zu2X-6rrHQsQRriPbF9pYi1PFwqotW6pnVZDVtP8_w/s1024/image15.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-06QaZAS_bdMdqV_3KPwiBqcWmMpP51hGJYgz6wWI4yrnhSeSOhfohk9t28pz2V88nftU_48YQfHrwIVzpPX-eOeIwZd0Z8wQzprQbM0aoXHSg_CTeMC_a7-Yz8d5zZF_zxDL_-4N-iLYrB9zu2X-6rrHQsQRriPbF9pYi1PFwqotW6pnVZDVtP8_w/s320/image15.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQv_RhDF_3MRWe2n5n07OrdhIiRgK9qwHzmIjcUfe-MepstTGG2HMQceA4FFSOJlOLfOx3GWYl9MSEuK4rmvaYapWlhHXqhGLTK9sgcIqaWsTjvmLUaKXh5RWB2yl09KNn66r3JrTOr0YCEV6Jlmj8L8h-r6hjdj9Tt_aKSk7d6sJRbh7B6c3e86tQA/s1024/image16.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQv_RhDF_3MRWe2n5n07OrdhIiRgK9qwHzmIjcUfe-MepstTGG2HMQceA4FFSOJlOLfOx3GWYl9MSEuK4rmvaYapWlhHXqhGLTK9sgcIqaWsTjvmLUaKXh5RWB2yl09KNn66r3JrTOr0YCEV6Jlmj8L8h-r6hjdj9Tt_aKSk7d6sJRbh7B6c3e86tQA/s320/image16.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGkrOoPLmnxEwjIxHI8EO6iS7mHWniEF0EV38KWagTFlVA0wNXHQhmPSY0t7qq-0kmBfI4K2WsaIAniJceZG-iFwMK3-vb3Havv_FphxzlT-_f3oF6vizYx2win_5O0wMsEOGhL5_2bgcwiUkCohDZWnTaAIaT4WtjTiHe_j1Ue1EUwf3UlLqq7p7Gw/s640/image17.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGkrOoPLmnxEwjIxHI8EO6iS7mHWniEF0EV38KWagTFlVA0wNXHQhmPSY0t7qq-0kmBfI4K2WsaIAniJceZG-iFwMK3-vb3Havv_FphxzlT-_f3oF6vizYx2win_5O0wMsEOGhL5_2bgcwiUkCohDZWnTaAIaT4WtjTiHe_j1Ue1EUwf3UlLqq7p7Gw/s320/image17.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Clay cavity liner swift bricks</b></p><p>With limited space in the loft corners, they added two other boxes, based on using a 215x145x200mm clay cavity liner - another Bill Murrells idea. These have the same size entrance hole with a bigger brick surround and no pipe as the box is positioned within the wall, spannng the cavity. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_z7SpMu6eMEkLMhIyNUBmQ1cIN7ITRrrorkbYc_YPN4PHD1DI64cb9oCNVPnYe2QyzCSbq6n4KqQFq1IGxURpsD7eKRJE9D1KiqSMUtoK4Wy72rMo-zB6D_12QiueJo7C3XymX6lPfYqxvLQRlmmW8UT8KpWzuN5a7hScn2vldkuimOKBkdRF-3uABQ/s640/image8.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_z7SpMu6eMEkLMhIyNUBmQ1cIN7ITRrrorkbYc_YPN4PHD1DI64cb9oCNVPnYe2QyzCSbq6n4KqQFq1IGxURpsD7eKRJE9D1KiqSMUtoK4Wy72rMo-zB6D_12QiueJo7C3XymX6lPfYqxvLQRlmmW8UT8KpWzuN5a7hScn2vldkuimOKBkdRF-3uABQ/s320/image8.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidM3CAgOmTntZWNahIKio9nOxWW-6YXfvZEi8X6TcndSRvdb1vAoKA14NCceBy7MKnmWSE8KlVrjUuo2HeTKjxmLg12Jwbp7EgPYMWQ1j98usvQno1tmcC0g5wp6S13Q1noNB79H3PP2W9xdbUIy5Ztc0YCqUsuX3VJfSTfhQco4c-CyhnuICInWgQkw/s640/image9.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidM3CAgOmTntZWNahIKio9nOxWW-6YXfvZEi8X6TcndSRvdb1vAoKA14NCceBy7MKnmWSE8KlVrjUuo2HeTKjxmLg12Jwbp7EgPYMWQ1j98usvQno1tmcC0g5wp6S13Q1noNB79H3PP2W9xdbUIy5Ztc0YCqUsuX3VJfSTfhQco4c-CyhnuICInWgQkw/s320/image9.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qJCwJ750lC1eUucZOE0njlt9V9636qRJVgBQds96EOUlbSbNASzOZK-7kWKK39DBjaOu0BOrC6X6-F5G_HDM3rqRg3ndandW_ozf9wywblsIbRZ2TWF-8M5bvx83gc7SmOfIYVpimHQVXcmQOPQjSp0pRpqKTvAyNSqahRbKiz1AIZ5sp-njVL1QHA/s640/image11.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qJCwJ750lC1eUucZOE0njlt9V9636qRJVgBQds96EOUlbSbNASzOZK-7kWKK39DBjaOu0BOrC6X6-F5G_HDM3rqRg3ndandW_ozf9wywblsIbRZ2TWF-8M5bvx83gc7SmOfIYVpimHQVXcmQOPQjSp0pRpqKTvAyNSqahRbKiz1AIZ5sp-njVL1QHA/s320/image11.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945598565554793023.post-30760482496494517962023-04-16T12:27:00.007+01:002023-07-03T09:12:35.413+01:00A proposed Swift Tower Design<i>I have to admit luke-warm enthusiasm for swift towers because so few can demonstrate success. However, we have enjoyed success with the <a href="https://actionforswifts.blogspot.com/2013/10/trumpington-community-orchard-swift.html" target="_blank">Trumpington Community Orchard Swift Tower</a>, and at least one other tower, at Tice's Meadow nature reserve in Surrey, of the same design. Both of these towers had 5 pairs in 11 chambers in 2022. </i><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgKyODiJz6dIU1PBINdnHI3a7SzDwbW_vzDXwbhuG9Z22CQqfwNvT5utgMDHBOlKSKOPVoRJMQBLamOnK-k0PVJ8gwsA3pMLjSYXMRt6bNcsa0iPYFY3X_rFKeCR5El6dAwoUnFW9cBSUno5Q6Kd8gtT2KHBcd7yYgiMVpKOv_RcnHTF0ZtQ3EF0nGg/s1596/A-frame-20D-canopies%20added.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1314" data-original-width="1596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgKyODiJz6dIU1PBINdnHI3a7SzDwbW_vzDXwbhuG9Z22CQqfwNvT5utgMDHBOlKSKOPVoRJMQBLamOnK-k0PVJ8gwsA3pMLjSYXMRt6bNcsa0iPYFY3X_rFKeCR5El6dAwoUnFW9cBSUno5Q6Kd8gtT2KHBcd7yYgiMVpKOv_RcnHTF0ZtQ3EF0nGg/w640-h526/A-frame-20D-canopies%20added.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proposed Swift tower with 20 chambers (see <a href="https://app.sketchup.com/share/tc/europe/hCOUx-WRp3Y?stoken=X4l-gqf96qWnMLwuUv63qBwPBXtJZWeHN0nHjHjdpKJT08Ii7LYNqf9wVhTcnuy8&source=web" target="_blank">model</a>)</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We have also had worthwhile success with cabinet and triangular gable boxes with a particular style of front with a simple canopy over the entrances. The canopies are made by cutting a batten 3"x 2" in half at 45°:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGN1KaBCWMQKzE4tXFjzqgxm5AjeGdlBHdy2WLr4hDsQlr9D-y7cZLrrx_2QdrhE_MnlRUG8H0ZRnd0bCZwR1KFq_jViJnPjIsn4xNMdY1LrtpSx78N4S1Wreh6vsS-fAg7-zZuZVLJXYOsN60L1NSMHTmH5-DqC4t9KgMkHSdBMHOr0ksEzSUnbSpqQ/s1992/Canopy%20examples.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1311" data-original-width="1992" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGN1KaBCWMQKzE4tXFjzqgxm5AjeGdlBHdy2WLr4hDsQlr9D-y7cZLrrx_2QdrhE_MnlRUG8H0ZRnd0bCZwR1KFq_jViJnPjIsn4xNMdY1LrtpSx78N4S1Wreh6vsS-fAg7-zZuZVLJXYOsN60L1NSMHTmH5-DqC4t9KgMkHSdBMHOr0ksEzSUnbSpqQ/w640-h422/Canopy%20examples.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 4-chamber cabinet with 2 pairs and a <br />25-chamber triangle with 9 pairs in 2022</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The canopies provide shelter from rain and sun, and also may deter predators. This style of front is easy to make and looks attractive. For this year, after squirrels attacked the original front, we have replaced the Trumpington tower front (see <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0TytyZwvsg2yDwqFS7AbGHDL3A33K3CVPr7G4EXdH1ai68F7nLy3g6MYArMnSc6Ppl&id=100064468728739&__cft__[0]=AZUTbbuySII4m3Y-jCIX7rpIzZ_fFm-ZC5cD-R9Udr5neG32gaNwogAWHLemi7oayVPJEHH1TgKnGsH71LFzEZAELlEDnEeU8j1loLW_ggi8PPtWTrPKisGOvY9EOTvWQVcb4kZqyHfa_WHNMot4wPxU-TidFxyZahEmfsF8Jev3-6N2MLin3-f537zbGn6RbmE&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R" target="_blank">Facebook</a>).</p><p>We have now extended the design with a new proposal which combines these ideas in a tower with 20 chambers. There is an online model <a href="https://app.sketchup.com/share/tc/europe/hCOUx-WRp3Y?stoken=X4l-gqf96qWnMLwuUv63qBwPBXtJZWeHN0nHjHjdpKJT08Ii7LYNqf9wVhTcnuy8&source=web" target="_blank">here</a>. You can spin it around and also look at pre-cooked views under the clapper-board symbol. The carpentry is sufficiently simple for amateur carpenters, though some serious equipment may be needed to erect it.</p><p>The Trumpington tower has the lowest boxes at 6.5 metres. This is too high to access with a ladder for basic maintenance (we have tried it!). So suggest a height of 5.5 metres - this is a good height for the birds and accessible for maintenance.</p><p><br /></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945598565554793023.post-10141277212900990772022-05-05T14:27:00.009+01:002023-07-03T09:16:05.523+01:00A New Wildlife Tower<div class="separator"><i>Back in 2015, we visited Nick Watts at Vine House Farm in Lincolnshire, where we saw his <a href="https://actionforswifts.blogspot.com/2015/12/vine-house-farm-wildlife-towers.html">wildlife towers</a>, which we thought were a fine inspiration for a tower suitable for Swifts as well. This vision has now been realised.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RaZeIaw5zY6Y9-9WNvKxnOBKKJpsPEHCUP8XX0FN1PNHyyX5VB_bhBMVMwuHYhnZK7SWAp95LubeDTxr4y0DkGcJzEFLjIHutFA_K7zBjMcgR9IrEj_Ha5knFFhFhErekgI32vnZWLAeOxd84ief-nQAX2Vz8Al0rDYVA3XuLDB_BdCWPdsCAhwrqw/s3978/IMG_20220503_144547.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3978" data-original-width="2785" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RaZeIaw5zY6Y9-9WNvKxnOBKKJpsPEHCUP8XX0FN1PNHyyX5VB_bhBMVMwuHYhnZK7SWAp95LubeDTxr4y0DkGcJzEFLjIHutFA_K7zBjMcgR9IrEj_Ha5knFFhFhErekgI32vnZWLAeOxd84ief-nQAX2Vz8Al0rDYVA3XuLDB_BdCWPdsCAhwrqw/w280-h400/IMG_20220503_144547.jpg" width="280" style="margin: 0 0 5px 0"/></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from the south west</td></tr></tbody></table><br />This magnificent hexagonal building is 8 metres high. Louvres on 5 sides give access to 50 Swift boxes, hoping to emulate the success of Swift boxes in church belfries. There are also 24 S Bricks embedded in the brickwork.<div><br /></div><div>In total, the tower contains:</div><div>74 Swift nest boxes</div><div>13 House Martin nest cups<br />10 bat bricks</div><div>4 bat access tiles in the roof</div><div>24 bee bricks and</div><div>20 small bird boxes</div><div><br /></div><div>A solar panel charges a battery that powers 2 MP3 players with attraction calls.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPE9oLhTkQZXKsUMOUfmJtPAfRhR2GV5GfGta_hG-RoJrCgmb4sxBdHGPUeipi05bTE8WtQYYGfJ3m12PhBNp_E_VqZwMK0Nh9qDwuOUAED9lMn0Me4kFKY2EgFdHO80hwtt25XJw6MS3lPcGl6k6XCpy7qG55tNqXsB1LBDhlHZqtKdeBjH1E0gcAGQ/s3120/IMG_20220503_144427.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2787" data-original-width="3120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPE9oLhTkQZXKsUMOUfmJtPAfRhR2GV5GfGta_hG-RoJrCgmb4sxBdHGPUeipi05bTE8WtQYYGfJ3m12PhBNp_E_VqZwMK0Nh9qDwuOUAED9lMn0Me4kFKY2EgFdHO80hwtt25XJw6MS3lPcGl6k6XCpy7qG55tNqXsB1LBDhlHZqtKdeBjH1E0gcAGQ/s320/IMG_20220503_144427.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from the north west</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfDG-hKC7qxCnK9CA8aTBFTGAE7wCFrA7hdPVCOIN7gizfV__EqPaMqsMq1Igj2OuI2JVIRrr9sLDHvkUyPj0xH3gogs0u66ARcQ_OfqER88oUOXigKrTnOa37EwVXSwj4e27O-lJYRjRuqsczWsOT2VV8LFWuUpgBhoRcYDnzYqMhmIIs-HmiSC7JRQ/s4160/IMG_20220503_143131.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfDG-hKC7qxCnK9CA8aTBFTGAE7wCFrA7hdPVCOIN7gizfV__EqPaMqsMq1Igj2OuI2JVIRrr9sLDHvkUyPj0xH3gogs0u66ARcQ_OfqER88oUOXigKrTnOa37EwVXSwj4e27O-lJYRjRuqsczWsOT2VV8LFWuUpgBhoRcYDnzYqMhmIIs-HmiSC7JRQ/s320/IMG_20220503_143131.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Inside the tower: Louvre Swift boxes and S Bricks</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGeB37sOZEr0vHhgfZLr7ROK3bcl55nBunaKacW6FdAw4y--C1C5GNyL6esXF18BVb-sIJVUTV1a90QPGASkuQeJsy8rLVw3uRVWS9N-k-FpN_snQ1JAtsUeEQ7PTW3rI-nmGxp3x_2rUCZlgYCap6BZYFq3x5Y9pxnLsBSPDEBI2l21EQPdFYvB6JA/s4160/IMG_20220503_142634.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2470" data-original-width="4160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGeB37sOZEr0vHhgfZLr7ROK3bcl55nBunaKacW6FdAw4y--C1C5GNyL6esXF18BVb-sIJVUTV1a90QPGASkuQeJsy8rLVw3uRVWS9N-k-FpN_snQ1JAtsUeEQ7PTW3rI-nmGxp3x_2rUCZlgYCap6BZYFq3x5Y9pxnLsBSPDEBI2l21EQPdFYvB6JA/s320/IMG_20220503_142634.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice touch</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945598565554793023.post-14103400000806736482022-01-13T21:42:00.002+00:002022-01-15T11:48:32.968+00:00External Wall Insulation<i>With the drive towards zero carbon, external wall insulation (EWI) on older houses will result in the loss of many Swifts and bats, but it is also an opportunity to provide many more nest places. In particular, the S Brick is an easy to install solution for Swifts and other small cavity-nesting birds. </i><i>[A solution is also needed for bats!]</i><p>External Wall insulation is usually anything between 90mm and 110mm thick. It is thus not thick enough to embed a nest box unless it projects outside the insulation, or it is embedded in the outer leaf.</p><p>Older buildings will either have solid walls or they will have a narrow 50mm cavity. As the outer leaf is typically ~100mm thick, there is an available depth of at least 190mm for an S Brick. It just requires the removal of 1 brick and replacing it with an S Brick. The internal floor area would be ~440 sq cm, plenty big enough.</p><p>The following images and examples show how it can be done:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_LfQxfuBJA4gQDR9-6jH5q-0-Vga59F6Qm40MkdsMGx_O-Hr3u2VYfDBnaTifoy1i_OJFuTiJ-t5cvvRJ-fU1waVHTYpFRUqZ-gkIN16eHAS70V7ZVnKnt2HImfoYwQAzBKnUMhV13I4JY0vxKteoXxd9po5YrP0A-YS3GfpQHTl8J5wWy5wz3gn74w=s1578" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="1578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_LfQxfuBJA4gQDR9-6jH5q-0-Vga59F6Qm40MkdsMGx_O-Hr3u2VYfDBnaTifoy1i_OJFuTiJ-t5cvvRJ-fU1waVHTYpFRUqZ-gkIN16eHAS70V7ZVnKnt2HImfoYwQAzBKnUMhV13I4JY0vxKteoXxd9po5YrP0A-YS3GfpQHTl8J5wWy5wz3gn74w=s320" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palight S Brick for a rendered wall</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjv7NN7U7u2DDC6cRCQy3D-fS-VVf7pAButyVzHr4BSfX9mZrK1XsWyJ7SE72QVXAC-UhpySH9Kedb06rgCzxF8V8pV51Iv0qyG9_11LuWG4igebB2MtszmRVvZjAkJ_U9BLixlgs7cPFhJNY4MIW34RYn4nxwMGOYeXXv6Qtl8pq1GeZ5jNWzSnCbJ7A=s1578" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjv7NN7U7u2DDC6cRCQy3D-fS-VVf7pAButyVzHr4BSfX9mZrK1XsWyJ7SE72QVXAC-UhpySH9Kedb06rgCzxF8V8pV51Iv0qyG9_11LuWG4igebB2MtszmRVvZjAkJ_U9BLixlgs7cPFhJNY4MIW34RYn4nxwMGOYeXXv6Qtl8pq1GeZ5jNWzSnCbJ7A=s320" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Section showing S Brick embedded in outer leaf and EWI</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5cmSOJsSoCXbrdrcsnX98aYPTsFYKPp5WQ0biBftYTtfCW-Fs-KDgsT4IGbzttuQNcQmmDZr7hzVpW6y4hSWVKmsNeEbX8yweotT-OPi6ET5qCJRDKbJpwgmVRd1SjWJPdWSvzqbIYqWkty7IwtNbuBJ99EW05t01pz5QwMVeU3SM7lgIJMAMSzpyew=s1578" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="1578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5cmSOJsSoCXbrdrcsnX98aYPTsFYKPp5WQ0biBftYTtfCW-Fs-KDgsT4IGbzttuQNcQmmDZr7hzVpW6y4hSWVKmsNeEbX8yweotT-OPi6ET5qCJRDKbJpwgmVRd1SjWJPdWSvzqbIYqWkty7IwtNbuBJ99EW05t01pz5QwMVeU3SM7lgIJMAMSzpyew=s320" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S Brick entrance</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYPhXoJvUAh49e3tFauVKD6PGA6j-sPoeYS-MvXf3ShXKYNHHn9U6tpHgdc1SZK-zIQFbfQchmvF-gd0r-rxYG3gYQqDdYhyK7pF_62ru7SKZCptqEyMCczhlDFyyiHQh4sM4CJl9CzVVONRxyGFFT63cL6W1ejPqQHsqUwcA3Fvpoyc9o14tRkvw2HQ=s1489" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1489" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYPhXoJvUAh49e3tFauVKD6PGA6j-sPoeYS-MvXf3ShXKYNHHn9U6tpHgdc1SZK-zIQFbfQchmvF-gd0r-rxYG3gYQqDdYhyK7pF_62ru7SKZCptqEyMCczhlDFyyiHQh4sM4CJl9CzVVONRxyGFFT63cL6W1ejPqQHsqUwcA3Fvpoyc9o14tRkvw2HQ=s320" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Example before render [Credit Conwy County Borough Council]</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3GcbvuXPD-TJmaB6epBwubPlM5VwqDasnzk4cxUMJn99H7sSB7fMAonlxH50jT6SV9pJGKoC6-qFMi5teGDUe1ar9o3V1FXSFDAIN1QeVjxNXh_TBwYfqW6JUzQl2nwpUdAwh6acRlls8qXscWQmpxgC1L2DXhwq3GCdxsItZE_yvjuY5LJ0hH9umPw=s1578" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1095" data-original-width="1578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3GcbvuXPD-TJmaB6epBwubPlM5VwqDasnzk4cxUMJn99H7sSB7fMAonlxH50jT6SV9pJGKoC6-qFMi5teGDUe1ar9o3V1FXSFDAIN1QeVjxNXh_TBwYfqW6JUzQl2nwpUdAwh6acRlls8qXscWQmpxgC1L2DXhwq3GCdxsItZE_yvjuY5LJ0hH9umPw=s320" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four S Bricks embedded in EWI [Credit Conwy County Borough Council]</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1pIpAL_KUFkpoKk_EiJSd_ro0SYL1dV0OxgOR3iERn1EXIupSpnBGi1Sbic_8nCMCDDV9jsNhZzexnnsCppvXCqIwSlF-Wfqbt3BOuwjxPVqjk6DHrQLiMM8fRHGrs6kLbYp06t7ydxt_pGIdK_vEBT-XqjF98o6s2JfkxA4mDZgjk9VwrK4SMJqhHw=s1746" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="905" data-original-width="1746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1pIpAL_KUFkpoKk_EiJSd_ro0SYL1dV0OxgOR3iERn1EXIupSpnBGi1Sbic_8nCMCDDV9jsNhZzexnnsCppvXCqIwSlF-Wfqbt3BOuwjxPVqjk6DHrQLiMM8fRHGrs6kLbYp06t7ydxt_pGIdK_vEBT-XqjF98o6s2JfkxA4mDZgjk9VwrK4SMJqhHw=s320" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S Brick entrance embedded in EWI - example from Cambridge</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945598565554793023.post-53825533955502704862021-10-02T15:56:00.005+01:002023-07-03T09:21:09.383+01:00Low budget Swift Tower- Brigsteer Wetlands Reserve<div class="separator"><i>Although Swift Towers can be quite expensive, it doesn't have to be that way if you use a simple design and volunteer labour. This is a good strategy, as Swift towers are known to be difficult to attract occupants, so success with a small project can always be expanded later on.</i></div><br />Robert Pocklington – a National Trust Ranger at Sizergh, South Cumbria obtained some funding through the Trust to make and erect an 8m Swift tower at their Brigsteer Wetland. Rob approached me (Graham Fell) of Kendal Men In Sheds as we have been making swift boxes for a few years and I had developed an inexpensive <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">Swift Micro Caller</a>. The budget was just £300 and I volunteered to do all the necessary work for the calling system and a 20W solar powered panel and controls to power it. I decided to use a 12V small motorbike battery with 9Ah power rating.<div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLxO-EcmVpKtDIzUhQ2Opqwxwjk4D8cZ1yt6DsncoMWELpcDf7JiBhad_e8je6dt4j7cSHnNwqJLuDH1-e53yDag8a7zrxZzvGHemplxOyIjelMA_QwzAGMuMJifWBBaDlsnkPx6z3dCF/s1365/DSCN1678+copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: 20px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirLxO-EcmVpKtDIzUhQ2Opqwxwjk4D8cZ1yt6DsncoMWELpcDf7JiBhad_e8je6dt4j7cSHnNwqJLuDH1-e53yDag8a7zrxZzvGHemplxOyIjelMA_QwzAGMuMJifWBBaDlsnkPx6z3dCF/s320/DSCN1678+copy.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8 metre pole</td></tr></tbody></table>We were lucky in obtaining an 8m telephone pole for free and the site was the edge of a wetland area that Rob had made some 7 years earlier. Each summer swifts were to be seen over the scrape and pond so he was sure a Swift tower would help to increase numbers in the area.<br /><br />I approached a solar panel company for advice as I had never done this before and we decided to go with their system which was more than adequate for the Micro Caller. So the panel is mounted horizontally on the top of the pole which is not ideal for collecting solar power but it ensures the panel (and its stainless mounting sheet) is well attached to the pole with no risk of coming off. The area is known as the Lyth Valley and is subject to strong winds from Morecambe Bay estuary and localised flooding of the valley. A fellow Shedder I know made the wooden box to house the electronics from a 1930’s oak dining table and he came up with a solution of how to attach the swift boxes to a 9” telephone pole.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lJoBkdZUk9Bw3WYJkfeCrrRt6d7_YGimKfz-KFoUzMq6ZWXW8o-Rx-2FSfTOxj5v6FnOdAXu_FQu21QB6Fg6FVBd1MHuve0beLiMISd9XcEXsWiTP8LtnEGnYGEvaAGC72qUwPEYwF8I/s1024/DSCN1669+copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: 20px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lJoBkdZUk9Bw3WYJkfeCrrRt6d7_YGimKfz-KFoUzMq6ZWXW8o-Rx-2FSfTOxj5v6FnOdAXu_FQu21QB6Fg6FVBd1MHuve0beLiMISd9XcEXsWiTP8LtnEGnYGEvaAGC72qUwPEYwF8I/s320/DSCN1669+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6 nest boxes</td></tr></tbody></table>We made a triangular mock-up that allowed us to make boxes about 370mm long from local larch and we took advice from Ros Taylor of our local Kendal Swift Group and made the upper three boxes with side entry and the lower three boxes with entry up through the floor. There would be room on the pole for more boxes but we felt six to be about right. The boxes were made by the Sizergh NT volunteers.<br /><br />I assembled all the electrical parts in the box which was well sealed against the weather and then car body underseal covered the whole box for waterproofing. We decided to have the system running all the time as this kept the 12V timer charged and then a separate switch allows the system to be switched on in early May and then off in early August.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoHDqSVMON8JxKgMJHDTIHc68FFuEw8xBKQjlI2nwkYm3yDCd9jtwZ6vLYFUpt7tD5nC4jtlAcSLCzUkEpJvWMzgbwI1YIyFW8tgg05mxOM__u1kpZAZpKoBGLmiLtSt4C2h6m7vLHGPT/s1024/Controls_1+copy.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: 20px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoHDqSVMON8JxKgMJHDTIHc68FFuEw8xBKQjlI2nwkYm3yDCd9jtwZ6vLYFUpt7tD5nC4jtlAcSLCzUkEpJvWMzgbwI1YIyFW8tgg05mxOM__u1kpZAZpKoBGLmiLtSt4C2h6m7vLHGPT/s320/Controls_1+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Control electronics</td></tr></tbody></table>Rob, myself and another NT Ranger then took the pole to Brigsteer and in about 5 hours we had attached the boxes, solar panel and got the pole into the hole. Then the wooden control box was attached near the pole about 3 feet off the ground for ease of access and to prevent flood water getting in. This was in September 2021 so we will see whether we have breeding success in 2022.<br /><br />It was completed within the £300 budget with all labour volunteered. Though not visually appealing, the main objective of keeping within the budget and achieving a practical pole will in time prove to be a success.<br /><br />Contact details: </div><div><a href="mailto:gfell01@hotmail.com">Graham Fell</a><br /><a href="mailto:robert.pocklington@nationaltrust.org.uk">Rob Pocklington</a></div><div><p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945598565554793023.post-57534112332784899952021-08-03T14:26:00.000+01:002021-08-03T14:26:39.677+01:00An Appreciation of Judith Wakelam<p><span style="font-size: small;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIU2epug53f1p8I84McOoKph1hMweoSAZi4fDNisDl9ThMIdu16qsb5rJ8iWWEDKA4DT0XDJEbfrgwR_RMkVzRGmxuujbx1UeINCMoIG97jCaxoj1zsQj9a6LYYB07qDSV9pnjDMTCpWb/s1024/01575840.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIU2epug53f1p8I84McOoKph1hMweoSAZi4fDNisDl9ThMIdu16qsb5rJ8iWWEDKA4DT0XDJEbfrgwR_RMkVzRGmxuujbx1UeINCMoIG97jCaxoj1zsQj9a6LYYB07qDSV9pnjDMTCpWb/w400-h266/01575840.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Judith releasing a Swift. Photo Nick Upton<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: small;">Judith's involvement with swifts began thirty years ago when she went to see the late Chris Mead for advice on what to do with a grounded adult swift she had picked up.<span style="background-color: white;"> She described how Chris was sitting in his big chair with a swift</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: small;">, looking for all the world like a brooch,</span> on his sweater. </span>Thereafter, she became an accomplished rehabber, processing up to thirty a season, both grounded adults and chicks which had fallen from the nest. Feeding nestlings every two hours plays havoc with your sleep patterns, but she never complained. She became well known to local vets and wildlife centres, who were happy, and relieved, to pass on to Judith swifts that had been brought to them by members of the public. <br /><br />In her later years, she gave many talks to local groups and at conferences. In particular, she made valuable contributions to the biennial international swift conferences in Cambridge, Stettin and Tel Aviv. She was a natural communicator, with a puckish sense of humour. <br /><br />Judith was not just about swifts. She was interested in all aspects of nature and wildlife. Look into the small pond in her tiny back garden teeming with newts and frogs;<span style="background-color: white;"> look at the bundle of hair that she took from Tess, her German Shepherd, to put out on a tree for nest building tits and goldfinches to steal;</span> look at the borders planted with flower species irresistible to bees and butterflies - all witness to her passion for nature. And there is more. She helped her friend Norma with her deer projects, specially muntjac. She went on toad patrol every year, holding up traffic to let the toads get safely across the road, She kept careful records of the wildlife in the area, her favourites being the barn owls in the churchyard and the grey wagtails breeding in a nearby rivulet.</span> </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dFiRxsft6q8z4VRse7LugdkgJtRz9k9FFdqdnoVgVcbd0W1-VOLyfJALhPMcsXhqfqyvR412peDe8t7wGYlEN9c-TzTL2woXbPj3AxkZsFY3x5VTJrf_cnU5RegETg_RjggHAiwuUFFn/s1728/judith-wakelam-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1728" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dFiRxsft6q8z4VRse7LugdkgJtRz9k9FFdqdnoVgVcbd0W1-VOLyfJALhPMcsXhqfqyvR412peDe8t7wGYlEN9c-TzTL2woXbPj3AxkZsFY3x5VTJrf_cnU5RegETg_RjggHAiwuUFFn/w400-h189/judith-wakelam-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swifts at All Saints' Worlington. Photo Judith Wakelam<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: white;">It was Judith who blew the whistle on the destruction of a swift colony near her
home, leading to the creation of a vibrant new colony in All Saints'
Worlington.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;">And, as you would expect, she had boxes for her beloved swifts, with cameras installed, so she could enjoy their antics from the comfort of her kitchen. </span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5smQ_iPebumcZnU0Y4P7IYG5NoGdBajsvXRChoHN4UeC72I-46E6OZBBk-2D_Jbevnjh-MOK0xO-bANWg1OD_URu5AInH_uID4nDkbtvCAcZSgAHjSjD2B_w8jnx_wNza_XQsqCAFk_7d/s750/judith-wakelam-04.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="750" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5smQ_iPebumcZnU0Y4P7IYG5NoGdBajsvXRChoHN4UeC72I-46E6OZBBk-2D_Jbevnjh-MOK0xO-bANWg1OD_URu5AInH_uID4nDkbtvCAcZSgAHjSjD2B_w8jnx_wNza_XQsqCAFk_7d/w400-h286/judith-wakelam-04.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mastery of the Skies. Photo Judith Wakelam<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-size: small;">Another wildlife-related passion was photography.<span style="background-color: white;"> It is a measure of her talent that she won the Oxford Museum of Natural History's 'Summer Swifts Competition' in 2014 with her picture 'Mastery of the Skies'.</span><br /><br />But perhaps the greatest buzz of all for Judith were her annual safaris to the world's wildlife hotspots: the Serengeti, the Okovango Delta, the cloud forests of Costa Rica and many more. Judith enjoyed companionship so she always took a friend on these trips. <br /><br />Judith was a very private person, revealing only to her closest friends, details of her background. She rarely spoke about her health until it was clear that things were going seriously wrong. <br /><br />Judith, you will be sorely missed by the many people whose lives you touched. <br /><br />Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;">Jake Allsop<br /><br /></span><br /></p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945598565554793023.post-10672098061836382522021-07-03T13:25:00.004+01:002021-07-03T18:56:08.160+01:00SAW 2021 Events<br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/#" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXu4GOordFD7vgBG7abXEupW3vMzmVb_JQYH8zUZ83-rvVSQQppSBGjITzNQ6a6yCfXF5hXV0BWoCIt59GHSI6814POUWEEV7JgOMgY8cLAej0V8CB2jNsdeAVuT8ZO_t4M3GHpKWNNRhl/w400-h215/UKSAW+logo+without+UK.gif" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><span>Sat 3rd -Sun 11th July</span></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><span><span> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><span><span>Swift Awareness Week begins today!</span></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Search for an event near you <a href="https://actionforswifts.blogspot.com/p/saw-2021-events.html" target="_blank">here</a></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">#SwiftAwarenessWeek <br /></span></span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945598565554793023.post-89441860619944669352021-06-13T16:24:00.001+01:002021-06-13T16:24:59.313+01:00Cottenham Village Hall<p><i>Triangular colony boxes in the apex of a gable have become quite popular. We were presented with an opportunity in a gable which had projecting beams, which could have limited the size of the triangle. However, the shape contained by the beams lead us to a new and attractive shape. which might look good in any gable.<br /></i></p><p>This idea is appropriate. for shallower roof slopes, in this case, 30°. Normally, a triangle has 1, 2 then 3 .. chambers on each level. With a shallow roof, it may be better with 2, 4 then 6 ....</p><p>However, in this case, we chopped off the corners of the triangle and went for 2, 3, 3 giving 8 nest chambers.</p><p>The resulting colony box would make an attractive feature in any gable with a shallow sloping roof, and easy for architects to include as a module in their designs<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrwkEDy97QJCA1p6I3inRRtxY12cReKoy2kjT2UiOX3RQKTVQvPpVeK9JD5JZLlZqup0tljnA-9b0zX-EQNEYD5AxAJkjJjyPHQ7J1R3RHp7-u3Yworr8c5ACEsrUjL4_cWl14BNEgTJ2/s1840/Cottenham+village+hall+triangle-V2a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1326" data-original-width="1840" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrwkEDy97QJCA1p6I3inRRtxY12cReKoy2kjT2UiOX3RQKTVQvPpVeK9JD5JZLlZqup0tljnA-9b0zX-EQNEYD5AxAJkjJjyPHQ7J1R3RHp7-u3Yworr8c5ACEsrUjL4_cWl14BNEgTJ2/w640-h462/Cottenham+village+hall+triangle-V2a.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Computer model</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwNbrN9gX9hrlv8upx5K60AXYTGNJOnl-TlSQ0RWjVgQkLRlIKeubeoRwYHEhwY8iJRcYJD-1UOrrOX90E86_Wh8ndTrHU6NGrf4xBiKaSC-wZSZQWPLYHCsuBMtlZbqHThaMQjqYCY3f/s1840/Cottenham+village+hall+triangle-V2b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1326" data-original-width="1840" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwNbrN9gX9hrlv8upx5K60AXYTGNJOnl-TlSQ0RWjVgQkLRlIKeubeoRwYHEhwY8iJRcYJD-1UOrrOX90E86_Wh8ndTrHU6NGrf4xBiKaSC-wZSZQWPLYHCsuBMtlZbqHThaMQjqYCY3f/s320/Cottenham+village+hall+triangle-V2b.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Internal structure<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbYnvdE8LFRGtiU5Le8RwBTQxcDpcAG8JSxkNZ6Cm-0zvArsoU2BLnoWcHsu1Zs4iB6g6Panq47C48_Crp5joGHAEFYnxZLYEykRkrlr4-9PXFFzPAJqmNcTqyCvIQ9YydXu2z4S7EISd/s1024/IMG_20210516_103412-cropped.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbYnvdE8LFRGtiU5Le8RwBTQxcDpcAG8JSxkNZ6Cm-0zvArsoU2BLnoWcHsu1Zs4iB6g6Panq47C48_Crp5joGHAEFYnxZLYEykRkrlr4-9PXFFzPAJqmNcTqyCvIQ9YydXu2z4S7EISd/s320/IMG_20210516_103412-cropped.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Installation complete with tweeter<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlwuYgOmFwvUKqYdTmkUMnzntFwBdeX6_sq4qH0noCD0H5rxC25a07rYaXuTtHVeUfB2ah0YdeLpHvJ6CUNJp2fnLBWj2mwJya66KX5ynlulr7y0ZOkQchshm70U0xTvkLl5-6rLYgrZJ/s1024/DSCN4312+cropped.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlwuYgOmFwvUKqYdTmkUMnzntFwBdeX6_sq4qH0noCD0H5rxC25a07rYaXuTtHVeUfB2ah0YdeLpHvJ6CUNJp2fnLBWj2mwJya66KX5ynlulr7y0ZOkQchshm70U0xTvkLl5-6rLYgrZJ/s320/DSCN4312+cropped.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Village Hall Pavilion with swift boxes<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945598565554793023.post-50832782148641645322021-03-28T14:37:00.002+01:002021-03-28T14:40:39.175+01:00PVC nest boxes<i>Some years ago, I visited a friend, Maurice Wilkinson, who had an array of nestboxes for Swifts and House Martins on his house, with a high occupancy rate. Some of the Swift boxes were made of PVC, the same material that is used for soffits. This inspired the idea for the Model 30, with its PVC roof resulting in John Stimpson upping his production to over 26,000 nestboxes by March 2021</i><p>Maurice's PVC swift boxes have now had swifts in them for 5 years, and there is no sign of degradation. One might have expected some damage caused by Swift claws on the entrance hole, but they remain unscathed.</p><p>Here is a short video of nestling Swifts in one of Maurice's PVC boxes:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='512' height='426' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxsdeCaw9l5ZH_Ahb9gX6fQX72eACCv2525s3LbMm5NIsPAdvE2wIEATTvbC-O8m_c1PX06MrC1BDCniouZOQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p>PVC as a material is nice to work with, it screws together to make a robust construction, it has good thermal properties, it is lighter than wood, it will never rot, so what not to like? With a suitable primer, it can be painted. It is more expensive than plywood, but not prohibitively so.</p><p>We have recently looked at making nest boxes out of 9mm PVC for the complete structure.<i> </i>As a result, we have built 3 prototypes: A Model 30, a Model 31 and a nest box suitable for embedding in external wall insulation (EWI). </p><p>Our conclusion is that PVC is a promising material.<br /></p><p><u>PVC Model 30</u></p><p>As the Model 30 is intended for exposed situations, built in PVC, it will be even more resilient, especially from water that may run down the back. This prototype was made by Simon Evans. The body is painted with Sandtex 'Mid Stone'. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9MxwJYPpVBNeqI-hyxRoFk8pmUN3WbYDQz8_AjjUXV3G5BqQrmtvuPJ7zekp7NNtQK2O4tEGebNCXZwIOGsrs6lrcIhWnl_87I7nrqdbAfHQosmmoc0aS-iN-G5_8Q2WzhLPK2w_E2a40/s1024/IMG_20210309_113736-small.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9MxwJYPpVBNeqI-hyxRoFk8pmUN3WbYDQz8_AjjUXV3G5BqQrmtvuPJ7zekp7NNtQK2O4tEGebNCXZwIOGsrs6lrcIhWnl_87I7nrqdbAfHQosmmoc0aS-iN-G5_8Q2WzhLPK2w_E2a40/s320/IMG_20210309_113736-small.gif" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PVC Model 30 painted with Sandtex 'Mid Stone'<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /><u>PVC Model 31 </u><br /></p><p></p><p>The Model 31 is designed to go under broad horizontal eaves. It is intended for well-sheltered locations, so the main advantage of PVC here is its light weight. Here we made a double box:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkyy367IcwOuj82GS5ZlkOdTLON7gzJ3Vy8YFWGKAmderJe8gs_sAnBDQeBCnvxfAWc0a82NGyXFJ7CeC-dw5Wy4AgKBN9y7O9XkcEkidmFw4J-xOWlUiNAoNs924aFRRXyt8jSNC1MD6/s2048/Under+eaves-pvc.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1127" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkyy367IcwOuj82GS5ZlkOdTLON7gzJ3Vy8YFWGKAmderJe8gs_sAnBDQeBCnvxfAWc0a82NGyXFJ7CeC-dw5Wy4AgKBN9y7O9XkcEkidmFw4J-xOWlUiNAoNs924aFRRXyt8jSNC1MD6/s320/Under+eaves-pvc.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Computer model<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVZPyORBntYznmQJ9ChKo3HCh9mXo8oEfWFmrizanVwXeHjNTCAfG8WReqf8j3XHk2YyQvZYpHl9U3tRUyrKtHexK3EjyRuJoBmFxDI8VCAwwN8zhQXYxgKD47iqNoI_gTHYVkuzQjZoW/s1024/IMG_20210328_095605.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVZPyORBntYznmQJ9ChKo3HCh9mXo8oEfWFmrizanVwXeHjNTCAfG8WReqf8j3XHk2YyQvZYpHl9U3tRUyrKtHexK3EjyRuJoBmFxDI8VCAwwN8zhQXYxgKD47iqNoI_gTHYVkuzQjZoW/s320/IMG_20210328_095605.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PVC Model 31. The small corner pieces attached to the front enable precise relocation of the front after installation<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><u>PVC EWI box</u></p><p>We were asked for a solution to embed in External Wall Insulation. When EWI is applied, it is between 90mm and 110mm thick with an additional thickness of render on top, but there is not enough depth for a Swift box. There are 2 choices, either penetrate the wall or have the box projecting outside the insulation. We described the former approach <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=4146147652070452&id=1004173086267940" target="_blank">here</a>, using a rendered S Brick. As embedding plywood in EWI is probably not a good idea, we developed a solution that does not penetrate the wall, made of PVC:</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkFvrZj_gAeAHgBS86E_g7WH6QX_k0AdAfqMZl1dmcsEFlApgrOhIJGwXG417urXWvJDXo-HLzHOR0CNHrLB9Uqt4YypctA8asXau0Jud0tE3rbxTAFA6KE-fx8LAq3cEslprrffiOMhe/s758/EWI+box-a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="758" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkFvrZj_gAeAHgBS86E_g7WH6QX_k0AdAfqMZl1dmcsEFlApgrOhIJGwXG417urXWvJDXo-HLzHOR0CNHrLB9Uqt4YypctA8asXau0Jud0tE3rbxTAFA6KE-fx8LAq3cEslprrffiOMhe/s320/EWI+box-a.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Section drawing<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKQvM6wMprrYBsMTP_PTOICChHPdjwKJOnshx_hgl3bOi5dNWNNK1VUb3zufn9ldS5iGxFlhMiROK_Y9UWOOfAvGkR-G-9s5zWn-1runNSQ19fR-mBRz1XUYKnJcGTrimKqv7ASuo0ShC/s758/EWI+box-b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="758" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKQvM6wMprrYBsMTP_PTOICChHPdjwKJOnshx_hgl3bOi5dNWNNK1VUb3zufn9ldS5iGxFlhMiROK_Y9UWOOfAvGkR-G-9s5zWn-1runNSQ19fR-mBRz1XUYKnJcGTrimKqv7ASuo0ShC/s320/EWI+box-b.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Appearance after installation<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLm2o61ZL2e5a2-FpDex6Q6Q0WW5FIvxiMILBAO4rlOXq0dYt_zqtx01_6N1Q5e41j3tnRYdJg9HbaFFO1FcA7fsuXodurk1HdpVSNfFqJNdRHdnG2U8yo-8-9zT8scwTPCssjq3WTBqy/s1024/EWI+prorotype-IMG_20210210_165130.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLm2o61ZL2e5a2-FpDex6Q6Q0WW5FIvxiMILBAO4rlOXq0dYt_zqtx01_6N1Q5e41j3tnRYdJg9HbaFFO1FcA7fsuXodurk1HdpVSNfFqJNdRHdnG2U8yo-8-9zT8scwTPCssjq3WTBqy/s320/EWI+prorotype-IMG_20210210_165130.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The PVC used here is coated in 'Anthracite Grey'<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945598565554793023.post-81129081640101734002021-01-25T15:22:00.004+00:002021-01-25T19:01:09.501+00:00Duchy Big Bird Box survey 2020<p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7YaiKvQgBgkpQu13llc0H2zjZPDkHTPd7H0_u4_7iuSRZ9WAQ5hx_qi453Yf1D8ty0dIwocbL545a3kGzDCxBNtx63kukM9CLMuRDeSFbjFl23DBzgCSriRtYPu0IcgH69wekrJGuimP/s332/Duchy+logo.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="74" data-original-width="332" height="89" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7YaiKvQgBgkpQu13llc0H2zjZPDkHTPd7H0_u4_7iuSRZ9WAQ5hx_qi453Yf1D8ty0dIwocbL545a3kGzDCxBNtx63kukM9CLMuRDeSFbjFl23DBzgCSriRtYPu0IcgH69wekrJGuimP/w400-h89/Duchy+logo.png" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><i>There seems to be a gathering momentum for provisioning nest places for cavity-nesting birds in new development, particularly in the south west, where the Duchy has an ambitious policy of providing an average of one nest place per dwelling. What is often lacking is adequate monitoring of these projects, but <a href="https://actionforswifts.blogspot.com/p/duchy-big-box-survey.html" target="_blank">this report</a> by Dr Thais Martins is very welcome, providing valuable data to support what we advocate.</i><br /></p><p>Although it is early days, the results reported so far are most encouraging with significant numbers of House Sparrows, Starlings, House Martins and the first prospecting Swifts. This is a good example of community engagement in a citizen science project. See <span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.facebook.com%252FTheBDBBS%252F%253F__xts__%25255B0%25255D%253D68.ARAmPGWpoKXUPhAZpgUOU8o2rfit7TLRG0vX5owWBu8sX1ZN946U-oeDr4k4QaFuXyExkvBxA7zwNB9QxTWbLHDiHfrrck1fVEprR3AeT_D4RafPe4ngD7fjdKEzp2iCoTELvaoZvyCnLnlwXWTNKWXksZn1UA8M4xppNk1ZKI4BT7nkxJzuGAZVy1RCixGsjvTN_umXGZLjsMK6Ykaz6zn7Sx0tR6T2NpW5pa8pPUrkZhYr9ll1SQ5hNYqBb1RlPxqQeyDxMRjHo6enIm0fN1m1I__cpUahXwRbHwFoJyjCQXGE-tc%2526__xts__%25255B1%25255D%253D68.ARC1TDM4kWmdpauTc_UVsUubhThDsWQ2-Z5QsMkiqwKD4eAsSVZ-QNOxoJfcL6J9M0-CLKDf6DZEKA1vfSkm3MxsjtGwaQNpgOHiWLtRSrtQavLZiazHiNa3vashHm5UvwAw2fEU2fPPEDuk9P56KJMBW1zCojBwqdPnZa9lGjVghghMyvvtthAFDDsE373fPjpRSWfkbkBlr6RtQ0MVJB0m2EyfeIVwmk07J8xqCM-B6wrV8kemUXtZUlE2qy0L9q5prlFmzmqi7Mo_s9Vw0Xali9p0fJr5L3sWPWuvTKPurUjXC1c%2526hc_ref%253DARTQe-Kc3OGgizqRsr4JHFyPyBK2Z5F48MWuhLM01XgkX8AXZKGSFrZtp8JS4NFwaRU%2526fref%253Dnf%2526__tn__%253DkC-R%26data%3D04%257C01%257CPaul.Cuddeford%2540bsigroup.com%257C67de0d3c0ec4469fdf0b08d8b7a553b4%257C54946ffc68d34955ac70dca726d445b4%257C0%257C0%257C637461267997268627%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C1000%26sdata%3DS9JpDVGyziJrgXbXC2NbFIuPbAY8Igndyucv5oGkEJQ%253D%26reserved%3D0&source=gmail&ust=1610617120550000&usg=AFQjCNEnMSg4t9RvTTi1mGcOSRSxuXW_cg" href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTheBDBBS%2F%3F__xts__%255B0%255D%3D68.ARAmPGWpoKXUPhAZpgUOU8o2rfit7TLRG0vX5owWBu8sX1ZN946U-oeDr4k4QaFuXyExkvBxA7zwNB9QxTWbLHDiHfrrck1fVEprR3AeT_D4RafPe4ngD7fjdKEzp2iCoTELvaoZvyCnLnlwXWTNKWXksZn1UA8M4xppNk1ZKI4BT7nkxJzuGAZVy1RCixGsjvTN_umXGZLjsMK6Ykaz6zn7Sx0tR6T2NpW5pa8pPUrkZhYr9ll1SQ5hNYqBb1RlPxqQeyDxMRjHo6enIm0fN1m1I__cpUahXwRbHwFoJyjCQXGE-tc%26__xts__%255B1%255D%3D68.ARC1TDM4kWmdpauTc_UVsUubhThDsWQ2-Z5QsMkiqwKD4eAsSVZ-QNOxoJfcL6J9M0-CLKDf6DZEKA1vfSkm3MxsjtGwaQNpgOHiWLtRSrtQavLZiazHiNa3vashHm5UvwAw2fEU2fPPEDuk9P56KJMBW1zCojBwqdPnZa9lGjVghghMyvvtthAFDDsE373fPjpRSWfkbkBlr6RtQ0MVJB0m2EyfeIVwmk07J8xqCM-B6wrV8kemUXtZUlE2qy0L9q5prlFmzmqi7Mo_s9Vw0Xali9p0fJr5L3sWPWuvTKPurUjXC1c%26hc_ref%3DARTQe-Kc3OGgizqRsr4JHFyPyBK2Z5F48MWuhLM01XgkX8AXZKGSFrZtp8JS4NFwaRU%26fref%3Dnf%26__tn__%3DkC-R&data=04%7C01%7CPaul.Cuddeford%40bsigroup.com%7C67de0d3c0ec4469fdf0b08d8b7a553b4%7C54946ffc68d34955ac70dca726d445b4%7C0%7C0%7C637461267997268627%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=S9JpDVGyziJrgXbXC2NbFIuPbAY8Igndyucv5oGkEJQ%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">The Big Duchy Bird Box Survey</a></span></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTVnVK_XkZKZidq0u8PJJiOAM97qYZrvDkxWi5a7Qlg1JjifsbhuQHKYOUZAYukrr0CtffdL3xxOtx5jE8SiGK5SyzJwHvyPh7gnQFl-JHGJ0hqA-PEul8U2oH0TdE_SOCLwzQqqqObZd/s1032/house+martin4.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="1032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTVnVK_XkZKZidq0u8PJJiOAM97qYZrvDkxWi5a7Qlg1JjifsbhuQHKYOUZAYukrr0CtffdL3xxOtx5jE8SiGK5SyzJwHvyPh7gnQFl-JHGJ0hqA-PEul8U2oH0TdE_SOCLwzQqqqObZd/s320/house+martin4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Hugh Hastings and the Duchy of Cornwall </td></tr></tbody></table>Swifts often take longer to find new nesting places, but it bodes well for a future with vibrant Swift colonies in all the developments surveyed.<br /><p></p><p>There is much detail in the paper highlighting occupancy rates by different species in different box types and on different aspects.</p><p>As the data builds up over the years, this should provide some guidance as to what works best. <br /></p><p>There is now a common understanding that a Swift brick can be considered as a 'Universal' bird box, and that sparrow terraces are not cost effective. The numbers of birds found occupying Swift bricks in Duchy developments confirm the universal nature of Swift bricks.<br /></p><p>In this study, of 515 swift bricks, 192 were used by House Sparrows, Starlings and House Martins, but of 12 sparrow nest chambers in 4 sparrow terraces, only 2 were used. Although not significant at the 5% level it does point towards House Sparrows preferring Swift bricks<br /></p><p>Download the <a href="https://actionforswifts.blogspot.com/p/duchy-big-box-survey.html" target="_blank">PDF</a> <br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945598565554793023.post-58178396406093080192020-12-03T14:59:00.012+00:002021-01-01T11:46:11.092+00:00Swift Bricks - the 'universal' nest brick<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/#"><img border="0" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HI8M1-5Ra3IJgUggV_reVP0kf7yg9r_mVJVNro7JaDgy8uy1gYYxfdhr5bCJgIEIb-cin_1DI8NVl4g6Fx7-bALo3Fa-cJ4FT9N_6PksOH33xFpCF9KPz6i2E3caKfhM9IAbZANAZqBa/w547-h107/SLN+logo.gif" width="547" /></a><br /></div><div><br />The SLN Swifts & Planning Group has produced a <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ljcJ7rIkNMrr4lxd41XcBU3YC6IFKM6z/view?usp=sharing">paper</a> advocating the provision of Swift bricks as a preferred solution for a range of small cavity-nesting species. It comes from a realisation that this will have better outcomes for these species than trying to satisfy all species independently.<br /><br /></div><div>The paper makes the points that integral or internal nest boxes are: <ul style="text-align: left;"><li>more aesthetically pleasing<br /></li><li>maintenance free</li><li>long lasting </li><li>less prone to predation</li><li>less prone to temperature variations </li></ul>The paper does not address species that prefer open-fronted nest boxes or nest boxes suitable for mounting externally.<br /></div><div><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/#"></a><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXujFyR8dNJGonyG6E_AzfEMEZf3gvN_7jIkJlV65GmV6BlmGtdoWKVMyYN_ghcPt26C3QVZ-_TENwNGr_0w-ed9anjUMRhHZkoK2rmwiW-rVLOyVQ0kuLD-kBtsEOJ5ZJ4XVMB6MUX3ig/s313/Sparrow+in+swift+box.png" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="218" data-original-width="313" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXujFyR8dNJGonyG6E_AzfEMEZf3gvN_7jIkJlV65GmV6BlmGtdoWKVMyYN_ghcPt26C3QVZ-_TENwNGr_0w-ed9anjUMRhHZkoK2rmwiW-rVLOyVQ0kuLD-kBtsEOJ5ZJ4XVMB6MUX3ig/w279-h194/Sparrow+in+swift+box.png" width="279" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Hugh Hastings and the Duchy of Cornwall <br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The main thrust of the paper is to counter the current tendency to provision large numbers of sparrow terraces. There is mounting anecdotal evidence that they have very low occupancy rates and that House Sparrows prefer Swift boxes.<br /> <br />A one-size-fits-all policy is not only more effective, it simplifies things for ecologists, planners and builders. <br /><br />Further, whereas Swift boxes can accommodate House Sparrows, Tree Sparrows, Blue Tits, Great Tits, occasionally House Martins and, with a larger entrance, Starlings, sparrow terraces cannot accommodate Swifts.<br /><br />You can download the paper here: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ljcJ7rIkNMrr4lxd41XcBU3YC6IFKM6z/view?usp=sharing">PDF</a></div><div> </div><div>There is an extended version of this blogpost on <a href="https://markavery.info/2020/12/30/guest-blog-swift-bricks-by-dick-newell/#comments" target="_blank">Mark Avery's blog </a><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945598565554793023.post-46217599526364451292020-09-15T09:19:00.007+01:002020-09-18T08:32:07.044+01:00Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve<i>Suffolk Wildlife Trust have built a new visitor centre at <a href="https://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/carlton" target="_blank">Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve</a>. 8 S Bricks have been built in to the timber-frame construction, by making entrances in the wooden cladding.</i><p>Steel plates surround the entrances to deter woodpeckers and starlings from attempting to enlarge them. The nest chambers penetrate 50mm into the insulation which is insufficient to cause any heat loss problem.</p><p>From their <i><a href="https://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/carlton" target="_blank">website</a></i>: "Carlton Marshes lie in the Waveney Valley at the southern tip of the Norfolk Broads and is part of the Suffolk Broads. It comprises a jigsaw of grazing marsh, fens, peat pools, short fen meadow, tall fen (called 'tall litter fen'), dykes, pools and scrub. Mostly man-made, these habitats have developed over hundreds of years of traditional management and now host specialised wildlife." <br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1kXcWVyNAN26jSFKfF8LTZDk5htij4Tuvg4RWliM2bbZs9geMsUeuEZvG61H5piblWjNoR8AVuj574J7Pu1n22P1ldFW_C6t0Y4qM2JCKGR01nsD5b4pMNpF5DvsW6phgKK-MFHOgyz0y/s1994/S+Brick+for+SWT-d.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1290" data-original-width="1994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1kXcWVyNAN26jSFKfF8LTZDk5htij4Tuvg4RWliM2bbZs9geMsUeuEZvG61H5piblWjNoR8AVuj574J7Pu1n22P1ldFW_C6t0Y4qM2JCKGR01nsD5b4pMNpF5DvsW6phgKK-MFHOgyz0y/s320/S+Brick+for+SWT-d.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S Brick dimensions. The opening is enlarged to allow some positioning tolerance</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsowqayfUDWAHNMC6Dzs5VVpJEph-0AXNfMGL0cwYn6JRrSN4DXMQX1kwjosf3wuNteq0L4yfu2AsGl_01B05jfXq6cNbpJwJWrf5Ckv_XFcKBMYjE3sLNGCrjtVRyBESLyWfNSOFS8bJ/s1994/S+Brick+for+SWT-c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1290" data-original-width="1994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsowqayfUDWAHNMC6Dzs5VVpJEph-0AXNfMGL0cwYn6JRrSN4DXMQX1kwjosf3wuNteq0L4yfu2AsGl_01B05jfXq6cNbpJwJWrf5Ckv_XFcKBMYjE3sLNGCrjtVRyBESLyWfNSOFS8bJ/s320/S+Brick+for+SWT-c.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Computer model showing S Brick embedded in insulation<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Photo credits below to Steve Aylward, Head of Property & Projects:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghU4uuWGImuaVFMdnTlIaSw1G9CipR77YblY9-aLmc5ZB2rfI2j3Qx70vDiS8COLyxUS3P5yLUjHqQ-mdD4bJV2Fc7bnm4Op1K06_dG6CNvmafQFCefK7KC487S9mUg8euYBLm_2SgfnfR/s1024/SWT+Carlton+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghU4uuWGImuaVFMdnTlIaSw1G9CipR77YblY9-aLmc5ZB2rfI2j3Qx70vDiS8COLyxUS3P5yLUjHqQ-mdD4bJV2Fc7bnm4Op1K06_dG6CNvmafQFCefK7KC487S9mUg8euYBLm_2SgfnfR/s320/SWT+Carlton+copy.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S Bricks installed waiting for cladding</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNeafVsV3zNcYLyd9ig5Y_XB8OZNtfJ4EJMJweKWSoCIBFCXMsyJXbrW6uXPa-sLA5qMhYx6EZqhLqyxw6evut5fMRdPJpljhZS8NqYAr4HYIhvhl_LRhk9JNm_AMsuusCGQDMvsC5TXF/s1024/5AA8E7D9+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="492" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNeafVsV3zNcYLyd9ig5Y_XB8OZNtfJ4EJMJweKWSoCIBFCXMsyJXbrW6uXPa-sLA5qMhYx6EZqhLqyxw6evut5fMRdPJpljhZS8NqYAr4HYIhvhl_LRhk9JNm_AMsuusCGQDMvsC5TXF/s320/5AA8E7D9+copy.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cladding installed with entrances in place<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoei-WyIqb-BTlTqaYp2bOH0ZH3MQuTA4b89EVsywgk7T3rnGCnrV2LwOuNyx2b9ks6gKtXsXhniamLO90D3aKOKqNEsws_DBeLPhOyr45xXf0miwW2517G3PgADPI0aoAuyRDTDSk00X/s1024/8B253C06+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoei-WyIqb-BTlTqaYp2bOH0ZH3MQuTA4b89EVsywgk7T3rnGCnrV2LwOuNyx2b9ks6gKtXsXhniamLO90D3aKOKqNEsws_DBeLPhOyr45xXf0miwW2517G3PgADPI0aoAuyRDTDSk00X/s320/8B253C06+copy.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steel entrance plates installed<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXMRpvjZnNGhuQLe0MU4HBGniihqPFC_-lkn8iPdGPZz2pYPrGq-FaLjAVfq6NR86l-P8ZgWPOc4e57hyCQnOnBaE3-s4euQHgXn1pcPBJj53X4tT8Elm9cN5L0_WXh-uAPnSf-EcFa-s/s1149/E8902E04+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="1149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXMRpvjZnNGhuQLe0MU4HBGniihqPFC_-lkn8iPdGPZz2pYPrGq-FaLjAVfq6NR86l-P8ZgWPOc4e57hyCQnOnBaE3-s4euQHgXn1pcPBJj53X4tT8Elm9cN5L0_WXh-uAPnSf-EcFa-s/s320/E8902E04+copy.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrances to 8 S Bricks<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvOSlbvJv25rmwbh8Q3K2BTfEJwxSG7MUeVXsxEF6QgHOwnlMatxeAp_RE6bM0ctsMvSw-1KDu5R3qV58gGC9PJT5wGyvyT3odcyOmSaBnyNFOqAbmlXKNGRxV4-x0gfUTQe-SporPVE8/s1024/E8902E04+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="609" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvOSlbvJv25rmwbh8Q3K2BTfEJwxSG7MUeVXsxEF6QgHOwnlMatxeAp_RE6bM0ctsMvSw-1KDu5R3qV58gGC9PJT5wGyvyT3odcyOmSaBnyNFOqAbmlXKNGRxV4-x0gfUTQe-SporPVE8/s320/E8902E04+copy.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945598565554793023.post-38353750699826039412020-08-23T16:14:00.000+01:002020-08-23T16:15:06.548+01:00Effect of nest box width on wing bending<i>A swift's wing length is about 170mm, thus any box with a minimum dimension less than 170mm will require the swift to bend its wings in order to turn. This post is a brief analysis of just how much a wing needs to bend for a range of box widths.</i><p>A number of nest boxes on the market have a minimum dimension of 100mm, which requires a wing to bend over 180° in order for the bird to turn.</p><p>The following charts illustrate the relationship between. box width and degree of bending. These are calculated with an idealized assumption that a straight wing would bend into a circular arc. Of course, most of the bending and wear will be concentrated nearer the wing tip which might be worse than it being uniformly distributed along the wing length.<br /></p><p>Swifts will nest in boxes 10cm wide, but the wear to their wingtips after a whole season of turning in such boxes is unknown.<br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbX65uzHdurmvemuNy07oU3_IHhcY78j355lAxjJf20fyfbQ7UMDV1cTR_T9uBBNuKULaWzai_ttdeS6UkQmML63vai1U2kh2CF1WOfrQgPmCF3-cquGEfkhl2uoTmGrGS5Ns_tEJW1We/s658/Wing+bend+angle+vs+box+width.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbX65uzHdurmvemuNy07oU3_IHhcY78j355lAxjJf20fyfbQ7UMDV1cTR_T9uBBNuKULaWzai_ttdeS6UkQmML63vai1U2kh2CF1WOfrQgPmCF3-cquGEfkhl2uoTmGrGS5Ns_tEJW1We/s640/Wing+bend+angle+vs+box+width.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relationship between box width and bend angle<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzQVhTjzrUF8nPSi7HCfKkEr1stU6ZhNtN3SnE2mCSFCbZGHYoCkuXJ3_dMRDWhfjewaawTOBmr6aXi8N2R_Sa_4WH79ycf1BGlwA1jBq7PMgnY_9UnDxAacCNavHnXimb3QaSwqcZg1C/s2048/Wing+bend+angle+vs+box+width-arcs.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzQVhTjzrUF8nPSi7HCfKkEr1stU6ZhNtN3SnE2mCSFCbZGHYoCkuXJ3_dMRDWhfjewaawTOBmr6aXi8N2R_Sa_4WH79ycf1BGlwA1jBq7PMgnY_9UnDxAacCNavHnXimb3QaSwqcZg1C/s640/Wing+bend+angle+vs+box+width-arcs.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The range of shapes for different box widths. All of these lines are the same length, 170mm.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Thanks are due to Mark Smyth for these videos showing a Swift turning in a 10cm wide nest box:<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wWjufvSnOvg" width="320" youtube-src-id="wWjufvSnOvg"></iframe></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8QBzXqpkSAs" width="320" youtube-src-id="8QBzXqpkSAs"></iframe></div><p></p><p></p>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945598565554793023.post-10062073591963701962020-08-02T08:50:00.001+01:002022-06-17T14:25:54.293+01:00Swifts inside PVC soffits<i>Open eaves, with breeding Swifts, are frequently turned into closed eaves with PVC soffits. This is an example of such a project in Cambridge in 2020.</i><div><br /></div><div>The pictures below show 5 neat holes in the Soffit of Gray House, a block of flats in Cambridge. Holes 1, 3 and 5 have an S Brick eaves box above them which contain any birds that enter these holes and they act as a barrier for any birds that might enter holes 2 and 4. There is a total of 8 S Brick eaves boxes in this building with 10 spaces for swifts. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>You can read about the S Brick for closed eaves here:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://actionforswifts.blogspot.com/p/soffit-box-in-closed-eaves.html" target="_blank">actionforswifts.blogspot.com/p/soffit-box-in-closed-eaves.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div>This includes a link to instructions on how to make a neat entrance in a soffit<br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtUYx7KNj0ssn_SYF5LezruQN72NCX6eWbLdZclFAbxYqonTWzRnu_d-rYPsmbcFS9q-khgE2NjjUqEh_I-lqH5fkfB-bTB3KciyRMiAwrholSKGnfHwvV8-va6Kuufpw-SECKiXN4YOr/s1024/89818380_3160440170641210_6952494755829776384_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtUYx7KNj0ssn_SYF5LezruQN72NCX6eWbLdZclFAbxYqonTWzRnu_d-rYPsmbcFS9q-khgE2NjjUqEh_I-lqH5fkfB-bTB3KciyRMiAwrholSKGnfHwvV8-va6Kuufpw-SECKiXN4YOr/s320/89818380_3160440170641210_6952494755829776384_o.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5 neat holes (click to enlarge)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9VHHsHNyQyskR33zxtapBPOJbFwTuR2ysyiqIpnwC2noQBZqdPQJRgF0FO0V02xKXx7bnUU7w7VnOgpXBqgQazMfuAy-mxjgyuPoC8Ahv43ziPicF04r_PDTYNAxnTVkflMyh64iO09R/s1024/89722111_3160440510641176_3202925355086118912_o.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9VHHsHNyQyskR33zxtapBPOJbFwTuR2ysyiqIpnwC2noQBZqdPQJRgF0FO0V02xKXx7bnUU7w7VnOgpXBqgQazMfuAy-mxjgyuPoC8Ahv43ziPicF04r_PDTYNAxnTVkflMyh64iO09R/s320/89722111_3160440510641176_3202925355086118912_o.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is an eaves box above the left hole,<br />nothing above the right hole<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945598565554793023.post-39720208846068675862020-07-23T13:11:00.000+01:002020-07-23T15:41:04.888+01:00Lancaster Royal Grammar School<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>Paul Worden (</i><i>@paulworden2015) is employed as a site manager at Lancaster Royal Grammar School where there is a wide range of buildings dating from 1852 to 2011. Paul has sent us a simple way to install Swift boxes in an old stone building. There are often situations where no off-the-shelf swift box product is suitable, and a custom design is needed. This is an example of one such case.</i><br />
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Back in 2017 we were approached by a local member of @LancasterSwifts to see if we would be interested in installing external nest boxes in the hope of attracting swifts to our site, although no expert I have always had a keen interest in birds so I soon took up this offer of help from the local group who arranged the supply of the boxes. <br />
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The eight boxes were installed immediately along with a speaker and MP3 player so we could hopefully attract the birds for 2018, but although many swifts entered the boxes none have nested in them as far as we know but starlings have occupied a few of them. <br />
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Last year 2019 we had a major refurbishment of our 1852 building that required scaffolding to be erected in order to carry out some of the work so while this was in place I took the opportunity to provide more nest sites in the hope of attracting more birds.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scaffolding provides a perfect opportunity</td></tr>
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I looked at many external boxes but I came up with a much simpler and cheaper idea that would last indefinitely. </div>
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I simply removed some stones from under the eaves that were not load bearing by drilling around the motor joints and pulling them out, removed all the rubble from inside, inserted a budgie nest bowl along with a small camera in one of the boxes and then boarded up the front with some external plywood held in with some clear silicone. I also moved the MP3 player to this building and played recordings that almost instantly attracted many birds to have a look.</div>
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Then this year as the birds returned and the MP3 player was turned back on I noticed the birds were soon flying up to and on occasions into the nest site. Then in May the first egg could be seen on camera soon followed by a second one but sadly that must have remained unfertile but today we have a very healthy looking bird that I’m sure is going to fledge in the next day or so. I’m also confident the other 4 nests have young given the activity in and around them. </div>
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I never thought such a simple and cheap job can bring so much reward so I will be adding more around the site when I can.</div>
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The following pictures describe how it was done:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Select a stone for removal<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Furnish the inside with nest form and camera</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhTAth7XJBx7Ol2KmqLibMgt5EXxMMTibEiEdoOiH-TZBShSng4oICrGpCykbuO66q3OS-B4eaAbi94TwrOoAMnDpHA-YPorgb3VM5GUmdrCjxQUDl-whUKRbgFvddDxGUuG47nw32bB7/s1024/IMG_04+Lancaster+RGS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhTAth7XJBx7Ol2KmqLibMgt5EXxMMTibEiEdoOiH-TZBShSng4oICrGpCykbuO66q3OS-B4eaAbi94TwrOoAMnDpHA-YPorgb3VM5GUmdrCjxQUDl-whUKRbgFvddDxGUuG47nw32bB7/w400-h300/IMG_04+Lancaster+RGS.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Provide a front with an entrance</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjloqttz7ele1FhS5Ht1JNo92XcEP9MKW1OZen5WdOnEZ3j5bNAQ9CsePqfrp7into2i0eXB90sFYD3mvyWVwuBljvvK-dXEpnUiolnSXCZ6m5JBKLl0eiAScE9w5T2yJDr1TcxbNjEKF/s1024/IMG_06+Lancaster+RGS.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjloqttz7ele1FhS5Ht1JNo92XcEP9MKW1OZen5WdOnEZ3j5bNAQ9CsePqfrp7into2i0eXB90sFYD3mvyWVwuBljvvK-dXEpnUiolnSXCZ6m5JBKLl0eiAScE9w5T2yJDr1TcxbNjEKF/s320/IMG_06+Lancaster+RGS.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First happy occupants</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945598565554793023.post-51857626489774423792020-07-11T15:03:00.001+01:002020-07-11T15:03:45.145+01:00Rutland Swift Boxes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><i>Tim Collins lives in a village just 3km from the shores of Rutland Water. In the last 17 years, he has built a thriving colony of 26 pairs of swifts in DIY nest boxes of his own design. </i><br /><br />Tim's success is down to a combination of his proximity to a major source of food, and clearly the Swifts like his nest boxes. Tim's nest boxes are notable for their extreme simplicity - a simple box with a bottom entrance next to the wall. It is not even a complete box as it has no back. The version that goes under the eaves has no roof either.<br /><br />While Tim’s boxes are all bottom opening, the design could easily be adapted to be front opening if you believe the swifts in your area prefer that design. An interesting experiment for a new colony would be to install a mix of front and bottom opening boxes and see which are occupied first.<br /><br />In Tim's own words:<div><br /></div><div><b>The 'Rutland' Swift Box </b><br />Unlike
most other swift nest boxes the 'Rutland' swift box has its entrance
hole in the floor of the box. This may look odd to human eyes however
people don't think like swifts or know what swifts are looking for when
searching for a nest site. The design has been developed from experience
gained since 2001 at a growing nest box colony in a village close to
Rutland Water. Our swifts really seem to like these boxes; the more we
put up the more breeding pairs we attract. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpM7BCbGClw-lJBuUB9EiBkyJw8P2ay9X4v_OMPVhqhZwmtPOqTnMnf8iZhbbnEgrstDPi4S9gMvrNVUPOzfktH1TC8fq6aGh93B6cfUGn0_1UQg4bZB09yRsLoIjcceC5DgnMhp6UKM_f/s1676/Under+Eaves+Box+v2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="1676" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpM7BCbGClw-lJBuUB9EiBkyJw8P2ay9X4v_OMPVhqhZwmtPOqTnMnf8iZhbbnEgrstDPi4S9gMvrNVUPOzfktH1TC8fq6aGh93B6cfUGn0_1UQg4bZB09yRsLoIjcceC5DgnMhp6UKM_f/s320/Under+Eaves+Box+v2.jpg" width="560" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpM7BCbGClw-lJBuUB9EiBkyJw8P2ay9X4v_OMPVhqhZwmtPOqTnMnf8iZhbbnEgrstDPi4S9gMvrNVUPOzfktH1TC8fq6aGh93B6cfUGn0_1UQg4bZB09yRsLoIjcceC5DgnMhp6UKM_f/s1676/Under+Eaves+Box+v2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"> </a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rutland Swift box (click image to enlarge)</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqPkLQgrMEyHPUI_ejrhrck2Jj1CFJkTFI0Gxxi2RSDO6PoQvDUr3ALtk1TuYkNkWTfV59YVOsC6wJmSA__3R_F72wuT2uxnYgIdmogqxHnKRFjvvKr78kIErDb8N0TT3xTPj12UBpEWP/s2016/Under+Eaves+Box+v2-b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1206" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqPkLQgrMEyHPUI_ejrhrck2Jj1CFJkTFI0Gxxi2RSDO6PoQvDUr3ALtk1TuYkNkWTfV59YVOsC6wJmSA__3R_F72wuT2uxnYgIdmogqxHnKRFjvvKr78kIErDb8N0TT3xTPj12UBpEWP/s320/Under+Eaves+Box+v2-b.jpg" width="560" /></a></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Background </b><br />The box is designed to mimic the appearance of
many 'natural' nest sites in older buildings, such as the gap between
fascia boards and the walls of the house, that require the swift to make
a final upwards approach to the entrance hole. It initially drew on
some suggestions in an old edition of the British Trust for Ornithology
(BTO) nest box guide however we have evolved the design as we expanded
our own swift colony (all in nest boxes). In 2020 we had 24 pairs breed
in these bottom opening boxes, so in this part of the country it is
clearly a design liked by swifts!! <br /><br /><b>The Design </b><br />The
nest boxes are simple to make and install under the eaves of a house.
The basic design is effectively only a 'half box', sealed at both ends
and makes use of the wall of the house and the existing soffits to form
its back and roof. Our own boxes are made from planed softwood timber
however you could also use marine plywood. Once built the exterior of
the box is painted, ours are white as this matches the colour of our
house's fascia boards and soffits. White is also the best colour to use
if the box will be exposed to direct sunlight as it helps reflect light
and so reduces the risk of overheating. If you do decide to paint your
boxes it is also worth using good quality exterior grade primer,
undercoat and gloss as experience shows that this wears better and so
reduces repainting requirements. <br /><br /><b>Basic materials: </b><br />A planed softwood plank 19 x 144mm x 1800mm (readily available at most DIY stores) <br /><br />Panel
pins - 40mm - used to do the initial fix as the box is assembled, can
either be removed or driven home with a nail punch and the hole filled
with wood filler. <br /><br />Brass screws - to hold the box firmly together <br />Right angle brackets (ideally plastic coated or brass to avoid rusting) <br /><br />Cutting List (all cut from the 19 x 144mm wide plank) <br /><br />1 x 500mm <br />1 x 540mm <br />2 x 144mm <br /><br />The
precise length of the box is flexible and individual boxes should be
tailored to match the available spaces. It is however worth remembering
that prior to fledging young swifts like to stretch out and exercise
their wings; as swifts have a wingspan of 42 - 48cm a box length of
about 50cm is a good choice. It is perfectly acceptable to make the box
smaller if that is the available space; Swifts often nest in really
small spaces. The images below show both the basic design and a
variation on it. <br /><br />The size of the entrance hole is important (to
avoid other species such as starlings intruding), we've tried various
shapes and have now settled on a 28 x 65mm slot; this is easily cut with
an electric jigsaw (but can be done by hand with a fretsaw). The
entrance hole is placed at one end of the box, we find it best to locate
it so as to maximise an open approach to the box (away from any
drainage pipes or chimneys) <br /><br />Once finished the box is fixed to either the wall or the soffits with right angle brackets. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Rutland Wall Box<br /></b></div><div>This variant is for cases where there are no suitable eaves. It is a good idea to give the roof a water-proof coating of some sort.<br /></div><div><br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYB6xEl1tT_iJdb1ppdRaSaTsErX6eQhMAahkwPdCJU14xo5trhNAxs8DNeWDye_j1c3faA2LQ7EB5D3FevEFFcGzgh3UkA-ANZe7FZpLYG0jMtvj1MoM2b4N9LdOd-pI0cz8oevTm8ssI/s1832/North+Luffenham+Wall+Box-V2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1832" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYB6xEl1tT_iJdb1ppdRaSaTsErX6eQhMAahkwPdCJU14xo5trhNAxs8DNeWDye_j1c3faA2LQ7EB5D3FevEFFcGzgh3UkA-ANZe7FZpLYG0jMtvj1MoM2b4N9LdOd-pI0cz8oevTm8ssI/s320/North+Luffenham+Wall+Box-V2.jpg" width="560" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rutland Wall Box</td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgC92jySElbmSra0cVTUbCAvlM0201xpcdIRAZZwqQg69qRJic8QXL0LZaDbLQnEkGWVe9aUFhFEwTvjAkeAbrksr6tf9sd6t2Wap7hq_lFX_f_9SlyHTeoozDQdZnGTtexylBNGxDCNd/s1832/North+Luffenham+Wall+Box-V2-b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1832" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgC92jySElbmSra0cVTUbCAvlM0201xpcdIRAZZwqQg69qRJic8QXL0LZaDbLQnEkGWVe9aUFhFEwTvjAkeAbrksr6tf9sd6t2Wap7hq_lFX_f_9SlyHTeoozDQdZnGTtexylBNGxDCNd/s320/North+Luffenham+Wall+Box-V2-b.jpg" width="560" /><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tim Collins <br />June 2020</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgC92jySElbmSra0cVTUbCAvlM0201xpcdIRAZZwqQg69qRJic8QXL0LZaDbLQnEkGWVe9aUFhFEwTvjAkeAbrksr6tf9sd6t2Wap7hq_lFX_f_9SlyHTeoozDQdZnGTtexylBNGxDCNd/s1832/North+Luffenham+Wall+Box-V2-b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945598565554793023.post-4866506747378292762020-06-18T09:43:00.000+01:002020-06-18T09:43:16.948+01:00Swavesey Memorial Hall<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>Swavesey Memorial Hall was built in 1919. It has a number of Swifts and House Sparrows breeding under open eaves. As part of the Over and Swavesey Swift Conservation project, we devised a way of adding more nest boxes on the gable.</i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNXqmSxkoz4f4aq9b-Eqj0BX4Tl_yS5H5X7MtuidVO8iMf3Zep6BZhGqrPyI7WK6Wvb0KjDHBJrylA-79GiJsVlRouoJbr5m3gE2NbAW0ue8s3BDh1LATEjqP0Mu66HqlHwpcuejDm_iH/s1024/IMG_20200617_155836+Swavesey+Memorial+Hall.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrNXqmSxkoz4f4aq9b-Eqj0BX4Tl_yS5H5X7MtuidVO8iMf3Zep6BZhGqrPyI7WK6Wvb0KjDHBJrylA-79GiJsVlRouoJbr5m3gE2NbAW0ue8s3BDh1LATEjqP0Mu66HqlHwpcuejDm_iH/s320/IMG_20200617_155836+Swavesey+Memorial+Hall.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gable faces NW</td></tr>
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The challenge is to do something that does not compromise the
appearance of the building. The eaves of the gable are about 170mm
wide and over 200mm deep, so there is plenty of space to hide some nest
boxes out of sight.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddfgcWdWfpzkaQ-0px055DEwHV9zeXTWb7szPRt5ASdt1nePVLXcdWKVUJa2fAht1Qcbzina5Lo2btka2yhRSkpXA9cERc9NpI1pfmy1-B_5LKQLG8dawd4lUQ3-U7tdmRWlEQmB7zoYt/s1024/IMG_20200616_104326+Swavesey+Nemorial+Hall.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddfgcWdWfpzkaQ-0px055DEwHV9zeXTWb7szPRt5ASdt1nePVLXcdWKVUJa2fAht1Qcbzina5Lo2btka2yhRSkpXA9cERc9NpI1pfmy1-B_5LKQLG8dawd4lUQ3-U7tdmRWlEQmB7zoYt/s320/IMG_20200616_104326+Swavesey+Nemorial+Hall.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 double boxes</td></tr>
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The design is a simple shoebox, installed sloping parallel to the eaves, but with a horizontal nest platform at the bottom of the slope. 4 double boxes were built, 2 for each side of the apex.</div>
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The slope is grooved to give the swifts some grip. The result is not unattractive and achieves the goal of preserving the appearance of the building.</div>
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The team was Bill Murrells, Bruce Martin and Dick Newell, with John Stimpson helping with minor adjustments.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVAciAKsWnk_m3H2ASaBfeoUFRDVUUKBqyw_un42_P23xo-TOyMTjfpUvupD5NMB7qKwgPnIyCeaJBt4_21XBtwqFfsLk0fNtlI2uzKS_5s6k0lslTtbHs9EFlXQQo_3IE6F-yutnwGmR/s1024/IMG_20200617_155758+Swavesey+Memorial+Hall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVAciAKsWnk_m3H2ASaBfeoUFRDVUUKBqyw_un42_P23xo-TOyMTjfpUvupD5NMB7qKwgPnIyCeaJBt4_21XBtwqFfsLk0fNtlI2uzKS_5s6k0lslTtbHs9EFlXQQo_3IE6F-yutnwGmR/s1024/IMG_20200617_155758+Swavesey+Memorial+Hall.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVAciAKsWnk_m3H2ASaBfeoUFRDVUUKBqyw_un42_P23xo-TOyMTjfpUvupD5NMB7qKwgPnIyCeaJBt4_21XBtwqFfsLk0fNtlI2uzKS_5s6k0lslTtbHs9EFlXQQo_3IE6F-yutnwGmR/s320/IMG_20200617_155758+Swavesey+Memorial+Hall.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8 nest chambers ready for Swifts or Sparrows</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACmgfqifcSsxJqg7K3ANRiV-GH_4UNvkEEAsw2wecRz_0Cff_uLAY4yBZ2TZKx7HKSuZWVpSsoxE613_8P9L6GxVtBRR_AagY9p9MMDoifvIHBmO1mDonyuuNbNEPGBYncj4ALNVr7M_d/s1696/Swavesey+memorial+hall+-+gable+eaves-+measurements.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1282" data-original-width="1696" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACmgfqifcSsxJqg7K3ANRiV-GH_4UNvkEEAsw2wecRz_0Cff_uLAY4yBZ2TZKx7HKSuZWVpSsoxE613_8P9L6GxVtBRR_AagY9p9MMDoifvIHBmO1mDonyuuNbNEPGBYncj4ALNVr7M_d/s320/Swavesey+memorial+hall+-+gable+eaves-+measurements.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Design drawing</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945598565554793023.post-23449506350499812752020-06-10T14:00:00.002+01:002020-06-10T14:00:50.559+01:00A neat renovation in France<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>Some time ago, we sent some half-brick entrance pieces to Carolyn Knowlman (</i><i><a href="https://sosmartinets.com/" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://sosmartinets.com/" target="_blank">sosmartinets.com</a>) for a project in Amboise. Following this, an opportunity arose during a renovation, where some existing swift nest sites were under threat.</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Offcuts used to make entrances</td></tr>
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Rather than use entrance pieces cast out of concrete, the stone mason used offcuts to make his own entrance pieces. </div>
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The nest sites inside were preserved with a very acceptable end result on this beautiful house.</div>
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House Sparrows have already moved in to two of the entrances, but it is not known yet if the Swifts have returned to the 2 nest sites that they previously occupied.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before and after the renovation</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of an entrance piece</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another close up</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spot the boxes</td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945598565554793023.post-87874367208948821492020-06-02T09:25:00.000+01:002020-06-03T09:31:12.706+01:00Eight S Bricks in 6 hours<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>Century House, Swavesey was reroofed 2 years ago. As a result a number of Swift nests were lost, and the roof was left in a state that Swifts could get into the roof space, resulting in some fatalities.</i></div>
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As part of the Over & Swavesey Swift Conservation Project, organised by Helen Pletts, it was decided to insert 8 S Bricks in the gable. It is a solid wall with no access inside, so everything had to be done from the outside. The bonding was somewhat irregular, so we had to make sure we chose stretchers to be removed which had a good chance of being aligned with the stretcher behind it. This was achieved by choosing stretchers adjacent to a header.</div>
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It was straightforward removing the outer stretcher, as the wall was constructed with soft lime mortar. In order to get hold of the inner stretcher, a handle was screwed into it to enable pulling it out. We had to be careful that nothing would fall onto the false ceiling inside.</div>
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Tailored S Bricks were made to fit this non-standard (Imperial) brick size. The backs of the boxes were coated in a layer of silvered insulation material to give some level of protection from heat from an uninsulated roof. For this project, the brick slips were made by the Swavesey Sheddit group, a volunteer mental health workshop support project.</div>
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No other product on the market would have been practical in this situation.</div>
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The cherry picker was hired from Anglia High Access Ltd, who did a great job removing the bricks, with Bill Murrells, Action for Swifts, installing the S Bricks. From start to finish it took 6 hours</div>
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The project was funded by South Cambs District Council.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3KeUJ1IF908jmy0zyrdaHiC7VwBQP_9e9B9fUS3MaSm6-egGdCEvMXkfgEw2ZO39KIx0BHC9aMlkuvtIl5OSbB3nJBeWmMN930UYJ2DVJ_eyJ9iKcWjiyeFiWGpoBJPLfnvqrK2pTKYk/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3KeUJ1IF908jmy0zyrdaHiC7VwBQP_9e9B9fUS3MaSm6-egGdCEvMXkfgEw2ZO39KIx0BHC9aMlkuvtIl5OSbB3nJBeWmMN930UYJ2DVJ_eyJ9iKcWjiyeFiWGpoBJPLfnvqrK2pTKYk/s320/IMG_20200529_084818+Century+House.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8 tailored S Bricks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKuImUpScBJhzf8qn9Vaq1YLN1UkeljH_tfg1SuOrruK8cndZorNmoNJOXfrHSej0O0x7iIfrlAqegKYnwX7KmpDFFe-s1K_DyXtadKCn4cG36cuGyErisZiC0JZEw9aIeEvGrmH7frALF/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKuImUpScBJhzf8qn9Vaq1YLN1UkeljH_tfg1SuOrruK8cndZorNmoNJOXfrHSej0O0x7iIfrlAqegKYnwX7KmpDFFe-s1K_DyXtadKCn4cG36cuGyErisZiC0JZEw9aIeEvGrmH7frALF/w320-h240/Century+House-IMG_20200601_090753.jpg" title="8 bricks removed ready for 4 S B ricks" width="512" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKuImUpScBJhzf8qn9Vaq1YLN1UkeljH_tfg1SuOrruK8cndZorNmoNJOXfrHSej0O0x7iIfrlAqegKYnwX7KmpDFFe-s1K_DyXtadKCn4cG36cuGyErisZiC0JZEw9aIeEvGrmH7frALF/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8 bricks removed ready for 4 S Bricks<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ms9zQUZE-c2iNcYOvhvDze9VhFNLCkEaGaId4UmRFzP-Pb6M51WQspcZycUFq0M5Ak2hQg9puygdUCqlqBG8knyTFNvQBdIHL4J4vgzmnkS2uziXQGWc28VeWzz7zwm4eWSpjfvcIVug/s1600/Century+House-IMG_20200601_120848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ms9zQUZE-c2iNcYOvhvDze9VhFNLCkEaGaId4UmRFzP-Pb6M51WQspcZycUFq0M5Ak2hQg9puygdUCqlqBG8knyTFNvQBdIHL4J4vgzmnkS2uziXQGWc28VeWzz7zwm4eWSpjfvcIVug/s320/Century+House-IMG_20200601_120848.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
Bill Murrells fitting an S Brick<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYig6izcYdvAFDPP3E6Kljgak0cjA0YBZw569Oc1pLM7vdlp47gts1c5iCfXJSRaOnezYnc4If0Yt9YHT6Q3Gs0ephhw7Q0Pq6C3sEjHMg1uVTYjlbEeEtakYV1P9eiWtF3mJyTpmCRta/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYig6izcYdvAFDPP3E6Kljgak0cjA0YBZw569Oc1pLM7vdlp47gts1c5iCfXJSRaOnezYnc4If0Yt9YHT6Q3Gs0ephhw7Q0Pq6C3sEjHMg1uVTYjlbEeEtakYV1P9eiWtF3mJyTpmCRta/s320/Century+House-IMG_20200601_134414+cropped.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8 S Bricks installed<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpaQEZBXPLmUu-QWNWB7vS9r-GOyFoGc2hyphenhyphenQgY9DZPwj49s378ja0UCSZsWFJhDdCEef7Kc9FbHGT32ucLcyJPDzEfYpQBOb4rLNfUm-r51hUoijBMK_-nz1Bn6aBzqLhZWgNLT4kLBrX/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpaQEZBXPLmUu-QWNWB7vS9r-GOyFoGc2hyphenhyphenQgY9DZPwj49s378ja0UCSZsWFJhDdCEef7Kc9FbHGT32ucLcyJPDzEfYpQBOb4rLNfUm-r51hUoijBMK_-nz1Bn6aBzqLhZWgNLT4kLBrX/s320/Century+House-IMG_20200601_134414.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overview shot<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945598565554793023.post-12930732473124317502020-04-05T12:10:00.003+01:002020-04-06T11:41:48.393+01:00Shepcot House Swifts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>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.</i><br />
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<i>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.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfr4hO746DWWQn0mwxRfg_LL7irtiC37D90QjhvmjM-RFXYGEGpq92xOp_ZYQ0ZMfLOvwBwXXGNtTsYJcjUS_BTW3B1tYfxZ-__lBzL3FVpTifkIgbSwENqB_0B86rpXfBDe2n3xWaiaUS/s1600/IMG_20200121_103133733+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="379" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfr4hO746DWWQn0mwxRfg_LL7irtiC37D90QjhvmjM-RFXYGEGpq92xOp_ZYQ0ZMfLOvwBwXXGNtTsYJcjUS_BTW3B1tYfxZ-__lBzL3FVpTifkIgbSwENqB_0B86rpXfBDe2n3xWaiaUS/s320/IMG_20200121_103133733+copy.jpg" width="151" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andy Potter - local Swift enthusiast</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
(see <a href="http://swift-conservation.org/news.htm">swift-conservation.org/news.htm</a> and search for 'shepcot')<br />
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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.<br />
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One of the slabs has fallen off allowing close inspection of the space behind, as in the pictures below.<br />
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Some of the panels have swifts nesting at both ends of the panel. Others are not used, and may have less space behind.</div>
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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.</div>
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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.</div>
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There was a planning condition for
nestboxes but the new provision by Countryside Properties has been
voluntary, based on the ecologist's advice.<br />
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Here is a link by the developer: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.countrysideproperties.com/news/endangered-swift-population-nesting-new-avenue-enfield&source=gmail&ust=1586168095654000&usg=AFQjCNHExPMfEHoe4vMcoCAQE9vj70ifsA" href="https://www.countrysideproperties.com/news/endangered-swift-population-nesting-new-avenue-enfield" rel="nofollow" style="word-break: break-word;" target="_blank">https://www.<wbr></wbr>countrysideproperties.com/<wbr></wbr>news/endangered-swift-<wbr></wbr>population-nesting-new-avenue-<wbr></wbr>enfield</a> </div>
<br />
[Also of relevance is this post about Swifts breeding in a House Martin's nest : <a href="http://actionforswifts.com/2012/11/swifts-nesting-in-house-martin-nests.html">actionforswifts.com/2012/11/swifts-nesting-in-house-martin-nests.html]</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWWT8wAP6gxQb3q0EtyxZqtTCiI3Cd6CTkQgwux6xeX0l30nFUJArRLIGkn83h2lT1vMkiJI8eygMQa957ZnxwLNL4sSOsJwpALGDxcKj9rNgVSd-jxtQjKGd_nKoxdFBh99kfcWicubU/s1600/IMG_20200121_103246896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWWT8wAP6gxQb3q0EtyxZqtTCiI3Cd6CTkQgwux6xeX0l30nFUJArRLIGkn83h2lT1vMkiJI8eygMQa957ZnxwLNL4sSOsJwpALGDxcKj9rNgVSd-jxtQjKGd_nKoxdFBh99kfcWicubU/s320/IMG_20200121_103246896.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Swifts did not nest in this slot, as the front slab had fallen off</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjp5c7EgeNgVPzPaJtgl4jUcnclqa7Dg2DAh5Ew5bv3XDWQ7k9jma-HsBaKW46FEzlbBvD41GllUsDOs5g4K7XteK9MPAyeU9hXmUUiL4QLyLVIHrY9wl22H0Lv0loMNV8AfeFA1XTmug/s1600/IMG_20200121_103259160+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjp5c7EgeNgVPzPaJtgl4jUcnclqa7Dg2DAh5Ew5bv3XDWQ7k9jma-HsBaKW46FEzlbBvD41GllUsDOs5g4K7XteK9MPAyeU9hXmUUiL4QLyLVIHrY9wl22H0Lv0loMNV8AfeFA1XTmug/s320/IMG_20200121_103259160+copy.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slot height is a little over 4 cm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgHyNuT25ihVC1raPFUn2Z-L3h-6siD8z8IGY11Pdxk0UPtT-ujBIGu0W_lSV_MKTI9Gr3TPrQi3l5lJXrkQAWhJZ6qSO1plQQqxDeu19epSoKHP5OIiCQNUIWBmIA6QtRFJdIYQOlJvs/s1600/IMG_20200121_103408849+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgHyNuT25ihVC1raPFUn2Z-L3h-6siD8z8IGY11Pdxk0UPtT-ujBIGu0W_lSV_MKTI9Gr3TPrQi3l5lJXrkQAWhJZ6qSO1plQQqxDeu19epSoKHP5OIiCQNUIWBmIA6QtRFJdIYQOlJvs/s320/IMG_20200121_103408849+copy.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slot depth is about 6.5 cm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945598565554793023.post-8316466003123037862020-04-04T15:37:00.000+01:002020-04-04T15:37:04.211+01:00Face-plate Swift box<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>Swift boxes are normally thought of as 'external' or 'internal'. John Crowther of Stroud wanted to retrofit swift bricks into his stone walls.</i><br />
<br />
When John removed a stone, he found that there was no cavity and the space created was L 290mm x D 125mm x H 100mm. First thoughts of fitting an S Brick would have reduced the 125mm depth to about 100mm, which might have been enough space, but a 10cm depth for a bird with 175mm wing-length is a bit of a squeeze, though Swifts can nest in a space this small.<br />
<br />
As we wanted to give the Swifts a little more space, and John preferred not to install another external box, we compromised by making 2 face-plates to close off two spaces. At the same time we added 12mm to the 125mm giving an internal depth of 137mm. Though not as unobtrusive as an internal Swift brick, it resulted in a neat solution.<br />
<br />
To keep water out of the nest chamber, there is a layer of sealant between the face-plate and the wall<br />
<br />
The material, 12mm MgO board, was left over from the stand we shared with Genesis Nest Boxes at Futurebuild - now a 4000-bed hospital.<br />
<br />
The following pictures illustrate the concept:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0g14bwpW-h4Wg37KsjWG52pSHhhN2Wm-01dXpEfnSYPUwOgPmoWsCqn2AMMS9g0g0ZusCKo6gudvLeqfMmyUtBxZFGaUK4pQtZMIUe5pbeQCiyEvWU-xi2_dQsdN64Bo4sejdKQFbGEqE/s1600/IMG_20200321_173030+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0g14bwpW-h4Wg37KsjWG52pSHhhN2Wm-01dXpEfnSYPUwOgPmoWsCqn2AMMS9g0g0ZusCKo6gudvLeqfMmyUtBxZFGaUK4pQtZMIUe5pbeQCiyEvWU-xi2_dQsdN64Bo4sejdKQFbGEqE/s320/IMG_20200321_173030+copy.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 face-plates showing outside and inside</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIU-eIe1uHqH3gncRtSO-UQve7oflhpoZ3bRTMMDJUa18xxcel0SUZG-U6JvSvSA36GChvhv2NSGCDMSEFE9_aBrm-HHuNUlnvthqQ8EiDvEZ0FHTrLDp-8gBVbnDKjla38j62IeKvJK3p/s1600/IMG_9586+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="217" data-original-width="631" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIU-eIe1uHqH3gncRtSO-UQve7oflhpoZ3bRTMMDJUa18xxcel0SUZG-U6JvSvSA36GChvhv2NSGCDMSEFE9_aBrm-HHuNUlnvthqQ8EiDvEZ0FHTrLDp-8gBVbnDKjla38j62IeKvJK3p/s320/IMG_9586+copy.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One stone removed and face-plate installed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945598565554793023.post-87137629132674329802020-02-12T20:27:00.001+00:002022-01-30T16:20:38.503+00:00S Bricks in a rendered wall<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>This is the end result of the project reported here:</i><br />
<a href="http://actionforswifts.blogspot.com/2019/09/swift-brick-camera-box.html" target="_blank"><i>actionforswifts.blogspot.com/2019/09/swift-brick-camera-box.html </i></a><br />
<br />
S Bricks do not have enough headroom to house a camera, which is why 4 out of the 10 Swift bricks in this project are a custom design.<i> </i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5w1zarjjdtnrCHz0p6rbun6-zDyb4kM9MquAgYltGFXsz5Uf2NHyDU2K6T1Xm7tr9VI1YKPMV0t92z6qiVwVKH4K9HymE9YvDqPCIyT80R9WqeRoun_ChQegyAvxtZUZni6lEA3LrPC_/s1600/Gaping+Lane+Concrete+Cottages+and+Prospect+Villas+lookin+East+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5w1zarjjdtnrCHz0p6rbun6-zDyb4kM9MquAgYltGFXsz5Uf2NHyDU2K6T1Xm7tr9VI1YKPMV0t92z6qiVwVKH4K9HymE9YvDqPCIyT80R9WqeRoun_ChQegyAvxtZUZni6lEA3LrPC_/s320/Gaping+Lane+Concrete+Cottages+and+Prospect+Villas+lookin+East+copy.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 'before' picture: the hip roof in the middle is to be converted into a gable</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutM5DIPNWW-WYZ0UwVUfexSpmqBI160aH69h-mmXWpf3pC-GUElUHprQEXedrNSn6hSGVbR0HKsaM-5LwsobmmsDLKfK_p4_SqORCMELdWpi-BkjcZI4KGiL2auw5xAMzeJqP65GCupcl/s1600/IMG-20191020-WA0005+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutM5DIPNWW-WYZ0UwVUfexSpmqBI160aH69h-mmXWpf3pC-GUElUHprQEXedrNSn6hSGVbR0HKsaM-5LwsobmmsDLKfK_p4_SqORCMELdWpi-BkjcZI4KGiL2auw5xAMzeJqP65GCupcl/s320/IMG-20191020-WA0005+copy.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">S Bricks installed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_kNaEgkj4NG7OcwgNU6Byc3UGJNaCwYlLiy1OXnQlrmqvAY2q3S91o4LAAxq3wdoBNBrMecdOWDzKee8-5shj6_z0a3_tVO8kGPhtg9wNxOXb-LGLJfFS1qjmBMmAmIuyvwlR4jIUgIR/s1600/IMG-20191020-WA0004+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_kNaEgkj4NG7OcwgNU6Byc3UGJNaCwYlLiy1OXnQlrmqvAY2q3S91o4LAAxq3wdoBNBrMecdOWDzKee8-5shj6_z0a3_tVO8kGPhtg9wNxOXb-LGLJfFS1qjmBMmAmIuyvwlR4jIUgIR/s320/IMG-20191020-WA0004+copy.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 custom camera boxes installed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgUJkKx7SRWsqaY8l4LQrWB4h35zk1Tv0gh73X8_iOigDBi0u-GNDkLMVNOEaOR9i_xnq0bWwdgtDXGfjBYx0-nix_uUwYOjlPqbODBYDwdNI4aogViFhwISjD85cN1oiGxA_U6RtRwSl/s1600/IMG-20200129-WA0001+copy+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="617" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgUJkKx7SRWsqaY8l4LQrWB4h35zk1Tv0gh73X8_iOigDBi0u-GNDkLMVNOEaOR9i_xnq0bWwdgtDXGfjBYx0-nix_uUwYOjlPqbODBYDwdNI4aogViFhwISjD85cN1oiGxA_U6RtRwSl/s320/IMG-20200129-WA0001+copy+2.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 'after' picture: 6 S Bricks and 4 custom camera boxes installed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945598565554793023.post-34939225781081433182020-02-09T17:33:00.002+00:002020-02-09T17:33:38.263+00:00A solution looking for a problem<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>This is a bit of fun. We were presented with the problem of a building in Swavesey with Swifts nesting on top of the wall in a high gable. The Swifts are sometimes getting into the building, occasionally found dead.</i><br />
<br />
The owners do not want to lose their much-loved Swifts. There is no way to get at the inside of the gable to block their entry. So the solution seems to be to provide alternative nest sites in the same gable, then block the entrances on the outside.<br />
<br />
It is a solid wall, with headers and stretchers. So we came up with the idea of removing a header and then inserting a configurable nest box as described in this animation:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='512' height='426' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzT_prI6uytaY0XJVxv73CkqkJJKQ_nVLviO2WHnW3EEbzPUCJzoebT85IRVDrXPVwTLX3kT2n5DmhN44S7AQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[Hit (ctrl) > loop to make it loop] </span><br />
<br />
The overall dimensions of the nest box, with the slider retracted is 30cm x 12cm x 8.3cm.<br />
A simple box this size would give an internal floor area larger than an Ibstock Swift brick, but slightly smaller headroom. Although this would have been an option, we wanted to give the Swifts more space.<br />
<br />
Having built a working prototype, we have now discovered that there is no insulation beneath the recently re-tiled roof, which means the roof space would get dangerously hot.<br />
<br />
We are thus reverting to a plan B, which will probably be S Bricks with an insulated back embedded in the wall.<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945598565554793023.post-46279866560631538122020-01-11T21:37:00.004+00:002020-04-05T22:06:31.021+01:00Modified Schwegler 1MF<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>The Swifts Estate nest boxes in Fulbourn Cambs are one of the most successful projects in the UK: 276 nest boxes in 250 dwellings are home to 100 pairs of Swifts, together with House Sparrows, Great Tits, Starlings and House Martins.</i><br />
<br />
The nest boxes comprise 168 custom made internal boxes and 54 Schwegler 1MF double boxes (108 nest chambers). However, 90% of the Swifts are in the internal boxes with only a handful in the Schwegler 1MF's. (See <a href="https://actionforswifts.blogspot.com/2013/12/fulbourn-internal-nestbox-design.html" target="_blank">here</a> for internal nest box design).<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyhu_Sv0lhyphenhyphen78slJbotEQ0FSzWRHVqoL99x7480kOrl192GE5R1zMv7Q4Ex9ULtGZHhvIcxG6Y_X_MeyOv91p35_MoGp9V1wUOeczzfdZR2d4rr4RnV5MT-W6Ra4bUuO2vtiDM1aguTu-/s1600/IMG_2744%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyhu_Sv0lhyphenhyphen78slJbotEQ0FSzWRHVqoL99x7480kOrl192GE5R1zMv7Q4Ex9ULtGZHhvIcxG6Y_X_MeyOv91p35_MoGp9V1wUOeczzfdZR2d4rr4RnV5MT-W6Ra4bUuO2vtiDM1aguTu-/s320/IMG_2744%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">2 internal entrances near the top of the gable</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">and the modified Schwegler 1MF. The other side</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">of the gable is a mirror image (click to enlarge)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So we mulled the idea of modifying the entrances of the Schwegler 1MF's to be more like the internal boxes.<br />
<br />
Andrew Tristram, who lives in another part of Fulbourn also had 2 Schwegler 1MF's on his gable, which attracted breeding Starlings. He reduced the entrance size and played Swift calls, but still no Swifts. We then installed 4 Cambridge System internal boxes inside the roof space, and 2 pairs of Swifts moved into them.<br />
<br />
As an experiment we then made 2 new entrance plates for the 1MF's with horizontally facing entrances, with a similar appearance to the Cambridge System entrances.<br />
<br />
Although it is too early to draw firm conclusions, 1 pair of Swifts moved into 1 of these modified boxes. We intend to replace more of the 1MF entrances, but we need to wait another season to get any more data, so we thought we would publish this now.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobwwdJOz_aCtJZF8BHN6_e3g86MuCwilMpg4OcNs0GKnRSNQbzPTRkxuhhmmkAxF06mklfTRekHzI2q8ahl99THoEkRFfbuvHNnQ1q4YtcIye4nkCYYCsMFMYnxMeSMTQ9hD1BGJd9t7C/s1600/IMG_3272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobwwdJOz_aCtJZF8BHN6_e3g86MuCwilMpg4OcNs0GKnRSNQbzPTRkxuhhmmkAxF06mklfTRekHzI2q8ahl99THoEkRFfbuvHNnQ1q4YtcIye4nkCYYCsMFMYnxMeSMTQ9hD1BGJd9t7C/s400/IMG_3272.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4945598565554793023.post-16990067280041107542020-01-04T21:48:00.004+00:002021-05-27T12:15:11.508+01:00The Swift Micro Caller<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>Graham Fell of Kendal Swifts has discovered some amazing new technology: an MP3 player costing less than £1. </i><br />
<br />
Together, and with others, we have been trialling it and so far we believe that it is a viable, very low cost solution.
There are many vendors selling this piece of kit; try googling "TF card U disk MP3 Format decoder". It comes as a printed circuit board, there is no housing, you need to supply your own.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNymPhMIIZ13bNaQ9Uujni4ifsHySh4X7sP-oSJgUxi4aMN-V5S2Vdd9pAS-FIcLkFh3Jfou0p5O6O00r3hUhONt0qDKojgR2Ulch_rTq8LvNohr1Uf31wDXUMA8uJbUk0b8MVG_O7dz6L/s1600/TF+board.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="375" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNymPhMIIZ13bNaQ9Uujni4ifsHySh4X7sP-oSJgUxi4aMN-V5S2Vdd9pAS-FIcLkFh3Jfou0p5O6O00r3hUhONt0qDKojgR2Ulch_rTq8LvNohr1Uf31wDXUMA8uJbUk0b8MVG_O7dz6L/s400/TF+board.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
You can plug calls in on a USB memory stick to the U disk port, or on a Micro SD card into the TF card port. The tweeter should be connected to the 3W Speaker port. The system is powered with a Micro USB cable compatible with a mobile phone or Kindle charger (not iPhone).<br />
<br />
Our analysis so far:<br />
1. Volume is not quite as loud as Cheng Sheng/Kinter type systems at maximum volume, but it is loud enough for most situations. Usually one turns the volume down on these other systems.<br />
2. Sound quality is good, with no distortion at maximum volume.<br />
3. Control buttons not as convenient as control knobs, but not difficult to use.<br />
4. There is only one speaker port (2 on a Cheng Sheng). We have not tried connecting 2 tweeters in parallel to this port.<br />
5. We don't know yet what the Swifts might think of it [Update: we have attracted Swifts into boxes.]<br />
6. It seems to consume a very low amperage, so we are testing to see whether it is feasible to run for a whole season on a single battery charge, without solar panel.<br />
<br />
For a complete system, you need:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxakqIxueEadW-HWQorL5EgG6wDJoSlXHzwX_j-tuLxSYn18Z0QhcXyFVkdqH58tzFFZpce27V02L249v2C982vGmUSlDLQVT8YuXCI6XHkdtGJBG1EXH-_cjTUY-XY6wHqkajEI3IuWlE/s1024/IMG_20210129_155024.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="731" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxakqIxueEadW-HWQorL5EgG6wDJoSlXHzwX_j-tuLxSYn18Z0QhcXyFVkdqH58tzFFZpce27V02L249v2C982vGmUSlDLQVT8YuXCI6XHkdtGJBG1EXH-_cjTUY-XY6wHqkajEI3IuWlE/s320/IMG_20210129_155024.jpg" /></a></div><br />The TF card<br />
USB memory stick or Micro SD card with calls in MP3 format<br />
Micro USB cable (£1 from Pound shop)<br />USB mains plug </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Tweeter and speaker cable<br />
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You can probably buy all this for less than £10</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
And you need a 240 volt timer. We recommend a digital timer as it does not need resetting after a power outage.<br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
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As an interim we have made some housings on a laser cutter. as in the following pictures. For this illustration we have a short speaker cable, you may well need 6 metres or more:</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mijttS9wJsjcgk1CmzLOLmP28fRUU-a3gl73ALEcGcJ_9AjEjaa_fTV33g0b6S983mCafWWDzj9WUVos6qpIQQ8SQvFB8n9Ab0tSJfywHUzAcYfpXKtAIZ2W7xi0zT2GDrQd320FWk2T/s1600/IMG_20191215_133932+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1365" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mijttS9wJsjcgk1CmzLOLmP28fRUU-a3gl73ALEcGcJ_9AjEjaa_fTV33g0b6S983mCafWWDzj9WUVos6qpIQQ8SQvFB8n9Ab0tSJfywHUzAcYfpXKtAIZ2W7xi0zT2GDrQd320FWk2T/s400/IMG_20191215_133932+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Micro Caller with Micro SD card</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNZb_pjMIGhgvPBvjGNC6JdxpjUxIVhYrvrVBz5J4vC8V-4rtPHVI1FdrCAh1MgDDOSEnzgmAgCnpY0WBMKlLFXFoRcvpa4JOESew4wg4QUxNAMjz8em2Nrr_ikle7XaCnq34eYbWWj7Z/s1600/IMG_20191215_134117+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNZb_pjMIGhgvPBvjGNC6JdxpjUxIVhYrvrVBz5J4vC8V-4rtPHVI1FdrCAh1MgDDOSEnzgmAgCnpY0WBMKlLFXFoRcvpa4JOESew4wg4QUxNAMjz8em2Nrr_ikle7XaCnq34eYbWWj7Z/s400/IMG_20191215_134117+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Micro Caller with USB memory stick</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Operation</b><br />
With power on and a USB memory stick or MicroSD card inserted, the Micro caller will start to play, cycling indefinitely through all the tracks.<br />
To increase volume: continuously depress the Next/V++ button<br />
To decrease volume: continuously depress the Prev/V-- button<br />
To move to the next track: short press on Next/V++ button<br />
To move to the start of the current track: short press on Prev/V-- button<br />
To stay on the current track: press Repeat<br />
To revert to cycling through all tracks: power off and then power on again.<br />
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