Swift bricks are fantastic biodiversity enhancements: as universal nest bricks, they provide cavities for a number of species of birds, and in Herts we campaign extensively for them. Here are my thoughts on why the announcement that they will be required on all new homes is not as good as it seems:

Opinions, please - Pallid or Common Swift? Whichever it is, the chances of it recently fledging as suggested in the post seem remote

It’s out in time for Christmas. Again! #hertsbirds #ukbirding

Great to be at the Swifts Local Network conference in Lancaster today, hearing so many interesting talks and meeting fellow Swift conservationists. Events like this really provide inspiration for more Swift conservation work in the future - a big thank you to the organisers

Legacy of a Labour Baroness who voted against Swift Bricks @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social

Much talk about Swift bricks right now. Here is a reminder of the evidence that they are universal nest bricks used by a variety of red-listed species of birds

Swift conservationists seem to be pretty much unanimous: 2025 was an excellent year for nest numbers, brood productivity, and activity levels around colonies. The main reason seems to be long spells of warm weather without much rain.

Swift conservationists seem to be pretty much unanimous: 2025 was an excellent year for nest numbers, brood productivity, and activity levels around colonies. The main reason seems to be long spells of warm weather without much rain.

Bar-tailed Godwit with it’s own parking space at Tesco Car Park Stevenage today

I am very upset to report that a colony of House Martins have had their nests blocked by scaffolding in Standon,Hertfordshire today. The building containing the Post Office has 8 to 10 nests under the eaves, some of which contain chicks that will die if the birds cannot reach them. #hertsbirds 1/2

I am very pleased to have recorded 34 Swift nests in Sawbridgeworth this year (26 in 2024). Probably better knowledge of nest sites and more time spent surveying rather than a genuine increase, but it still seems to have been a really good breeding season (as elsewhere in the UK) #hertsbirds

Common Swift with a very full crop #CommonSwift #Bolus #Birdsinflight #Birdphotography @rspb.bsky.social @rspbengland.bsky.social

Hertfordshire Swift Nest Survey 2025 Swift groups have been working hard with surveys in 2025, and I am pleased to say that we have just passed our target of recording 1000 Swift nests in the county A final count and some more details of the survey will follow later on in the year. #hertsbirds

The Hertfordshire 100 Club! Hitchin has become the second town in Herts to record 100 Swift nests in 2025, joining Hertford in the "100 Club" The photo is of Mattocke Road, which has 11 Swift nests and also 13 House Martin nests Another Herts town will hopefully joining the club very soon....

Three grounded Swifts were found in Herts yesterday and taken to specialist rehabbers. Heat is causing chicks to leave the nest too early All grounded Swifts need the help of a specialist rehabber Post on the Swift and Swallow SOS Facebook group with a photo and your postcode and someone will help

Great to see breeding success this morning with a Chiffchaff feeding fledged young at Farmhouse Channel. Please submit records of confirmed breeding for all species to Herts Bird Club at.... www.hnhs.org/herts-bird-c... ..and use Breeding Status dropdown #hertsbirds

In 2024, I found my first Swift nests on 7th May. This year, I have already recorded 35 nests!

5 Swift nests found in Bishop's Stortford this morning without seeing a single Swift! The call and response method is a great way to prove nests first thing in the morning, and the early arrivals mean I have been able to start a week earlier than last year #hertsbirds

#hertsbirds #ukbirds#ukbirding

A new Facebook group for Swift enthusiasts in Hertfordshire: www.facebook.com/share/g/19rz... #hertsbirds

From the Herts WhatsApp group #hertsbirds #ukbirds #ukbirding @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

Short clip of the male Garganey present with a female at Stanborough GPs this morning. If you listen carefully you can just hear its rattling display call. Lovely to see & see. @hertsbirds.bsky.social #hertsbirds

Just seen reports on a FB Swift group of an arrival of Swifts at a colony in Northern Ireland. Insanely early, his previous earliest birds arrived 16th April.

Very pleased to put up another 30 Swift boxes in Sawbridgeworth and Bishop's Stortford on Friday, including 2 at the Bullfields Centre kindly donated by Bunzl Cleaning and Hygiene Supplies. We have another box installation this Friday, 4th April! #hertsbirds #swifts

A short clip of the stunning male Blue-headed Yellow Wagtail at Stanborough GPs this morning. Also 1 White Wagtail, 2 Swallows, 7 Sand Martins, 2 Little Ringed Plovers & 7 Pintail. @hertsbirds.bsky.social #hertsbirds

The first in an occasional series: "How Not to Install Swift Bricks" starts with a development near Great Dunmow in Essex. I shall be contacting the developer to point out the error

2025 Hertfordshire Rookery Survey: please submit nest counts from active rookeries in the county, full details here: www.hnhs.org/herts-bird-c... #hertsbirds

Tyttenhanger GPs - Coursers Road GPs [TL193037]: 7 Little Ringed Plover, on landfill area & displaying over pits 2 Green Sandpiper 4+ Sand Martin 4 Lapwing 2+ Meadow Pipit, pair displaying #hertsbirds

PhD opportunity with me (RSPB) at Sheffield Hallam combining ecology (building-nesting birds esp. Swift) + building design & planning (Net Zero goals & retrofit). We need a strong student interested in both! Is that you? url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/cNyjCR636C... Please repost.

Great work by Gavin Vicary from the North East Herts Swift Group on his latest church tower Swift box project, this time at St Lawrence's, Abbots Langley, where 28 nest chambers have been fitted in the belfry. The 9th church in Hertfordshire that Gavin has installed in, more to follow! #hertsbirds

A snipe I took last year at lemsford springs in Herts. A lovely little reserve known mainly for its green sandpipers. I was fortunate enough to have this photo win first prize in the Herts bird club photo competition yesterday.

Amwell NR - Nice evening at Amwell, brief visit from a Kittiwake and a 1st Winter Med in the roost. Smew came out to join the Goldeneye about 5.15pm and the Red Necked Grebe is still present but elusive as ever. #hertsbirds

Tue 4 Mar Amwell GP - Sheepcote Farm Lake [TL373127]: 1 RED-NECKED GREBE Great Hardmead Lake [TL378128]: 1 Smew, redhead 1 Red-crested Pochard, male #hertsbirds

Smart male Shelduck at Stanborough GPs 15.26. #hertsbirds

Don't miss 'Wild About Hertfordshire' – our exhibition in St Albans Museum marking the 150th anniversary of Hertfordshire Natural History Society. Running from 21 March - 6 July. #StAlbans #Herts #Hertfordshire #wildlife @stalbansmuseums.bsky.social

Pynesfield South Lake nr Maple Cross: FERRUGINOUS DUCK, extremely poor viewing opposite bank against sunlight #hertsbirds

13.20. 2 Oystercatchers at Tyttenhanger #hertsbirds

Grey Partridge and Green Sandpiper today takes 2025 Harpenden walk list up to 68. Both are birds I see here most years but neither are that easy. Also 8 hares in one field. #hertsbirds #ukbirding

Holwell nr Hitchin [TL168325], 1 Short-eared Owl, 16:40 by Crematorium #hertsbirds

10.20. RN Grebe still at Amwell on Sheepcote lake but very restrictive viewing - plus 3 RC Pochard #hertsbirds

07.16. Oystercatcher at Stanborough GPs this morning. #hertsbirds

0807. Amwell NR - RN Grebe still present on Sheepcote and showing well at the moment from the gate. #hertsbirds

08.48. Ad YLG at Stanborough GPs #hertsbirds

09.42. Amwell NR - First Oystercatcher of the year on small island from viewpoint. #hertsbirds

Amwell NR - 1st Winter Med and Great Black Back in the roost again tonight. Also Smew, Stonechat and Woodcock. #hertsbirds

11.25 Oystercatcher on Willow’s Farm lake Tyttenhanger. Much later than usual. #hertsbirds