A Swift Community Set has gone to the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary visitor centre at Stonham Barns; multiple nest boxes and a 240V call system. In time a new colony will be created here in full view for the public to enjoy. #SuffolkBirds @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social

The swifts are loving the weather. Think we’ve got more than a few fledglings that have joined our gang… @sosswifts.bsky.social

SOSSwifts offer free surveys and advice & keep a stock of #Swift nest boxes. We re-visited a Brandiston location where a Swift colony has now been created with 6 boxes being used, quite spectacular. 4 more nest boxes are going up to provide additional nesting space @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

9 Swift boxes & a call system have been donated to Ipswich Museum which is currently being renovated. The Community Set will be installed up high so the public can view the colony develop over time. SOSSwifts have more sets available for prominent elevation. @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

30 screaming Swifts in a ball up high over mine, likely to be returning non-breeder maybe with the first newly fledged chicks up there too. These will return down tomorrow to scream around nest sites so play those calls, we’ve 2 weeks of super displays to enjoy @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

Loads of Swift mayhem and generally pissing about in from of the boxes tonight - 9 now being used. My best year yet! @sosswifts.bsky.social @essexbirdnews.bsky.social #swift

A Super Swift evening this Thursday in Halesworth, all are most welcome. @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

There is a Swift walk, talk and pint this evening in Woodbridge, meeting in the Market Hill square at 7pm. Learn about Swifts, their plight and how easy their conservation is, whilst they swirl overhead. All are most welcome @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social

Super Swift Awareness Week garden event last night in Kirton, it was very busy with Swifts. Swifts have spread from their original roof nest location under tiles into 9 of the 10 nest boxes installed. 6 more nest boxes are now going up @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

It's Swift Awareness Week 🪶 These impressive migrators spend almost all of their life in the air. Find out how our Conservation Adviser Cathy, with the help of @sosswifts.bsky.social, is working to boost the population in Suffolk www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/blog/suffolk...

A Swift Community Set comprising 6 nest boxes and a call system has been donated to Stutton Primary School whose pupils will be able to observe a colony develop. We have more Sets available for prominent elevations of public buildings @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social

Great to hear that a Barsham (nr Beccles) location with multiple Swift nest boxes now has its first #Swift occupancy after 2 years of call playing. The local church now has belfry nest cabinets for additional nesting space. #Conservation @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social

8 more Swift nest boxes have been delivered to Brandon Library to boost their Community Set, this budding Swift colony has plenty of nesting space to spread into. They are also exploring installing nest bricks too. Swift conservation works @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

Great to hear that a Woodbridge location with 9 Swift nest boxes; 6 on the rear elevation and 3 more recent boxes on the front now has one being used by Swifts after several years of playing calls. There are natural nests very close by, it has taken Swifts longer than I expected to find these boxes.

Great to hear that the Swift Community Set on Brandon Library now has its first occupancy, it has taken 2 years of playing calls to attract a Swift in. The set was comprised of multiple nest boxes and we have offered 6 more so a substantial Swift colony can develop. @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

Where's a good place to put one?

Another car load of SOSSwifts’ nest boxes collected from John Stimpson, he is just shy of now making 45,000 of them! We offer free surveys & advice, always happy to help you help Swifts and have free Community Sets available. @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social

Another Swift Community Set has gone to Bramford Primary School. Their pupils have 6 Swift nest boxes to decorate before they’re all installed up high on their assembly hall along with a 240V call system. #SwiftConservation #SuffolkBirds @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social

A Swift Community Set has gone to Heath Primary School in Kesgrave, 6 Swift nest boxes and a call system. Their pupils will decorate the boxes & line the egg concave with feathers and will be able to watch a Swift colony develop over time @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social

Flying the flag for Swifts today at The Suffolk Show! Come find us in the Suffolk Wildlife Trust Wildlife Zone — we’d love to see you! 🌱 @sosswifts.bsky.social @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

The Save Our Suffolk Swifts project continues, the obligation to install universal nest bricks has been voted down again. Here are 10 Swift call systems destined with multiple nest boxes for Community Sets on public buildings around Suffolk @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social

@sosswifts.bsky.social @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

Great to hear that Swifts have returned to a nest box at Felixstowe library, the first box used there last year. 6 boxes were installed there in 2021 with more added last winter, we are hoping for a significant Swift colony to develop here @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social

Super @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social trip to @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social Carlton Marshes today, a super reserve. I missed the Booted Eagle but watching the Swifts there more than made up for it. Supporting cast of Wood Sandpiper, Red-footed Falcons, GWE and Wall Brown butterflies.

Swifts are now arriving back to their nest sites in the nooks and crannies of older buildings, some will have been blocked out by renovation works. If you have fitted Swift nest boxes play their calls to help them find an alternate play to breed, they will be attracted in.

Super Swift survey at a Thurston location where Starlings, House Sparrows and Swifts already fight for nest space within the roofs. All these species are red-listed. 4 Swift nest boxes will be added providing additional nesting space @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

Great to hear of the first newly used Swift nest box of 2025, in Haughley thanks to the observational diligence of @adamfaiers.bsky.social. We think of Swifts’ screaming daring flights around the rooftops but they can be very sneaky around the nest site early season @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

First Swifts over Ipswich today- hoping to see the returnees to our boxes soon 🤞

I know it's 'over on the dark side' but the Swifts are back in my old home, Wells in Norfolk!!!! 😃😄 @sosswifts.bsky.social

6 BUNZL donated Swift nest boxes have just been fitting onto the Holbrook Methodists Church in Holbrook, SOSSwifts donated a Swift call system to go with them. A red-listed House Sparrow was straight in, hopefully now getting ready to breed @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

Swifts are nest site faithful and (mostly) pair for life. If one fails to return or is late the survivor will scream around to attract in a new partner, so #Swift nest sites are used for generations. Re-tiled roofs have black combs installed which block Swifts out, traditional sites are easily lost

Very happy to see my first Swifts of 2024 over Framlingham this morning, still to see House Martin though. Starlings are fly catching here which is a good sign of insects above. Listen for noisy Starling nests in older roofs, they fledge late May, Swifts can follow in @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

@wildlifegig.bsky.social @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @adamfaiers.bsky.social Might be able to help?

SWIFFFTTT !!!!!! Grundisburgh 🙌🙌 @sosswifts.bsky.social

Out of county, apologies, but Edward Jackson (founder of our SOSSwifts project) has arranged this Swift talk in Crediton, Devon next week. #DevonBirds #SwiftConservation

Swifts were reported from many locations across Suffolk yesterday and there were Swifts back in nest boxes last night in Claydon and Sudbury, this is quite early.

An interesting BBC article here picking up on our Swift conservation work here in Suffolk @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social Eyes to the skies as our Swifts return with their daring acrobatics over their nest sites. Swift conservation works www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Swifts are on their way back...and many are trying to reach the same nest sites they’ve used for years. But scaffolding can block the way. Check before you build & keep entrances clear. ❗ Their active nests are protected by law. Let them in.

Anyway. About ten days or so before these absolute legends come home. @sosswifts.bsky.social

Our Swifts will soon be arriving back, some will have been blocked out their nest sites by renovation works over the winter. This is legal, no protection outside the breeding season. Hopefully displaced adults will find nest boxes to breed @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social

The first Suffolk Swift reports are coming in from around the county, mainly feeding over wetlands. Over Minsmere and Pipps Ford today. Personally I’m still to see a House Martins this year

The Suffolk Punch Trust has installed their Swift Community Set by their café. SOSSwifts have more sets available for suitable prominent elevations of public buildings around the county, please do ask if you know of a location @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social

They’ve nested in our house longer than we’ve been here. Expecting them around May 9 or 10 🤗

3 house martins reported over a farm near Westleton this weekend , with artificial nest cups 😁🤞 Interested in having a talk or finding out more about nest cups ? Get in touch !

Save Our Suffolk Swifts have a full project update talk next Thursday 24th April in Hintlesham Community Centre IP8 3PS at 7:30pm. 231 Suffolk boxes were used in 2022 & 263 in 2023. How many in 2024? @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social Suffolk Swift lovers are most welcome.

Starlings & House Sparrows like Swifts love to nest in the nooks & crannies of older buildings. They are blocked out by renovation works to modern standards. @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social @suffolkwildlife.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

House sparrow activity again in the swift nest boxes. @sosswifts.bsky.social

The youngsters involved with The Suffolk Punch Trust have decorated these Swift nest boxes prior to their installation there. They have a call system too and will play from early May to attract in the younger non-breeding Swifts looking for a future place to nest @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

SOSSwifts help house builders to plot S-bricks onto their developments; high above the insulation line where there is a clear line of flight, in groups. These provide nesting space for Swifts for the lifetime of the building. How many nest bricks can be seen here? @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social

Apologies for straying off topic but the first House Martins and Swallows are now arriving back & Suffolk is bone dry. If you have an open field then create a mud splat and keep it moist until we have rain. This is a big one in Woolpit @sbghousemartins.bsky.social @suffolkbirdgroup.bsky.social