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REPORT ON SWIFT BREEDING SITES IN WESTPORT PRODUCED IN 2013

By Lynda Huxley

Contact details: natureofireland@eircom.net 094 9032422

INTRODUCTION

The Swift is an amber listed bird of conservation concern in Ireland and across Europe. Swifts come to Ireland’s towns to breed, arriving in May and departing in August

each year. They are faithful to their nest sites returning to the same one for the duration of their life, it is known as a traditional nest site. The Swift exists in our towns

without causing any public nuisance as there are never any droppings left under the nests, making them an ideal town inhabitant, especially as they provide a good

service by consuming thousands of flying insects.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO FACILITATE NESTING SWIFTS?

Swift numbers have declined by over 40% in the past twenty years. The main cause of this decline is loss of breeding sites. They nest in buildings in towns. Their

traditional nests can usually be found at the top of walls or in cavities in brick work. They gain access to the tops of walls by climbing behind the fascia board. When

repairs or renovation work are carried out to roofs and guttering the birds can no longer gain access to their traditional nesting site. Since Swifts are colonial birds, repair

or renovation work can often affect more than one pair of birds.

Swifts now rely on the buildings in our towns for their nest sites. In order to secure the future of Swifts we need to ensure that their traditional nest sites are secured

where possible and to provide new nest sites so that the population can recover. In Westport, surveys were carried out to identify the buildings where traditional nest

sites are located so that these can be preserved wherever possible. The total number of probable nesting pairs found in Westport in 2013 was 25. Further surveys will be

carried out in 2014. My contact details can be found at the top of the page if any help or further information is needed.

This report contains the following information:

1. Map of the town showing which breeding sites have been located in 2013 (page 2)

2. Picture and detail about each site. The Swift nest site is indicated with an arrow (pages 3 to 10)

3. Information to explain measures that can be carried out to ensure that traditional nest sites can be secured and different types of nest boxes that can be used.

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1. Convent2. Blousers Pub3. Private House4. Old Bank5. Railway Hotel

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Site 1 : CONVENT AT ALTAMOUNT STREET ROUNDABOUT

There are an estimated 11 pairs nesting in this building but there could be more. This is the main breeding population in the town of Westport.

Arrows indicate where Swifts have entered the building and are thus possible nest sites.

Right hand side of Convent and annex with statue (facing East)

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Front of Convent facing mini roundabout on Altamount Street

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West side of the Convent. Picture taken from road leading to social services building

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Site 2 : BLOUSERS ON BRIDGE STREET

There are several pairs nesting at Blousers. They were recorded entering the nest sites in 2012 and 2013. The drawing below is the front elevation of

the pub. The “X” on the diagram below marks the places where Swifts have been seen entering the possible nest sites.

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Site 3 : PRIVATE HOUSE ON HIGH STREET

In the summer of 2012 Swifts were seen entering just below the gutter (marked X on the diagram below) on a private house that is next door to the

Italian restaurant Bella Vista. However, in 2013 no birds were seen here.

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Site 4 : OLD BANK ON THE NORTH MALL

This is quite an important site and there may well be more than 5 pairs located in this complex at the

back of the building which cannot be seen from the road.

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Site 5 : RAILWAY HOTEL ON NORTH MALL

One nest site as indicated.

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This report was compiled by Lynda Huxley in October 2013 from information gathered in June and August 2013. I would like to thank all the people who

participated in the Swift survey evenings which helped identify the Swift breeding sites in the town in 2012 and 2013 (see list below). There may well be

other sites that have not yet been identified.

Thanks to the following people who helped with the surveys: Bob and Vanessa Adams, Bernadette Bergin, Margaret Graham, Mick Hogan, Chris Huxley,

Seán Lysaght, Rosemarie McDonald, Wendy Stringer. Also thanks to Swift Conservation www.swift-conservation.org, Save our Swifts

www.savourswifts.co.uk and Action for Swifts actionforswifts.blogspot.com for use of their material.

PRESERVING TRADITIONAL NEST SITES AND OPTIONS FOR ARTIFICAL NEST BOXES

TRADITIONAL NEST SITES

Please try to follow these rules when working where Swifts are nesting :

1. Do not work on the roof while the Swifts are nesting (late April to late August)

2. Leave existing Swift nest places undisturbed by any works

3. Preserve the Swifts' access holes or make new ones to match the old exactly

4. Do not block access with scaffold and do not net or wrap areas where Swifts are nesting

Some advice on how to repair & renew roofs and replace guttering without destroying nests

Repairs, re-roofing and replacing guttering are unavoidable, but where there are Swifts nesting this usually means the loss of the traditional nest site. The

new efficient building systems almost always deny them access to the holes, crevices and open eaves where they nest with the result that Swift numbers

are declining at an alarming rate as there are ever fewer places left for them to nest in. But with just a little foresight, planning and care it is possible to

preserve the Swifts' nest places.

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Where Swifts will be nesting and How to save their nests and let them breed safely :

Never re-roof where and when there are Swifts nesting (end of April to late August)

Inside Eaves - in "open" eaves, under the bottom row of tiles, above the gutter, just inside the roof-space. Leaving the eaves open is the simplest &

best solution or cut slots in the soffit or facing boards to match the old entrances

In the loft - If you have to, install a ventilated plywood partition at least 30cm inside the loft to enclose the Swift nest areas and make the loft area

usable

In Holes - in holes in walls where pipes have been removed. Where they are not going to be a problem just leave old holes.

Behind Flashings - on brick ends or in holes under loose / missing flashings on chimneys and skylights. You can offset or lengthen flashings and

ridge/end tiles to let the Swifts back in without affecting weatherproofing.

Inside Gables - behind barge boards and gables, on the brick ends. You either leave well alone or else fit simple wooden nest places behind the

bargeboards.

Under Tiles - under loose or displaced tiles, on the roof timbers or felt. Reinstate the tiles keeping the old gaps where the Swifts gained entry

exactly where they were. You can do this easily by inserting wedges of cement and pieces of tile beneath the new tiles, to lift them by 30mm to

provide access for the Swifts.

Missing Pointing - in voids behind gaps between stones or bricks where the pointing has washed out. Leave as is if you can.

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ARTIFICIAL NEST BOXES

Artificial nest boxes can be used very successfully for Swifts if they are placed in the correct location. They should be at least 5 metres above ground level

and not below about 4 metres and placed such that they do not receive full sun in summer. There should be a clear flyway in front.

While it is preferable to incorporate nesting places inside a building, external nest boxes placed near to nest sites that have been lost can be particularly

effective to mitigate the loss.

Occupancy can be considerably accelerated by playing Swift attraction calls. Speakers can be placed on the ground below the boxes, on a window sill or

attached to the box. Small speakers placed inside a box can be particularly effective. Patience is of the essence, it could take a year or three for Swifts to

find the boxes.

Below is a choice of Swift nest boxes :

SCHWEGLER WOODCRETE NEST BOXES

German company Schwegler make a selection of nest boxes for Swifts that are made of woodcrete and have a 25 year guarantee. They can either be built

into a wall or fixed to the outside of a wall.

This No17 Schwegler single nest box costs around €65.00

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The triple cavity No. 17 Schwegler box seen in this photo is used at the GMIT Mayo Campus Swift nest box project has proved to be

very successful with birds being seen going into all 12 nest boxes. A triple cavity box costs around €160.00

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There is also the No. 25 Schwegler box which has to be built into a wall. It costs around €45.00.

IBSTOCK SWIFT NEST BRICK

This is a terracotta fronted nest box which can be installed in a new or restored building. It is made in red, blue and cream. They are

made to order from www.ibstock.com. They were used successfully in new public library in Antrim, Northern Ireland.

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HOMEMADE SWIFT NEST BOXES

It is possible to make Swift nest boxes from wood. These are quite cheap to make but it must be remembered that wood will rot and to the boxes will need

replacing after several years.

Several designs can be found on actionforswifts.blogspot.com