First of all:
- Plant a pollinator friendly garden to ensure your swifts have plenty to eat.
- Dig a pond – this is actually the best thing you can do to increase biodiversity in your garden, and will certainly increase the number of flying insects for swifts to feed on.
- Create a log pile to attract even more insects!
Then:
- Mount swift boxes at least 5m above ground level.
- Place boxes facing North or East under deep eaves, on gables or high walls.
- Avoid fitting nest boxes in very exposed, cold, wet or hot positions.
- Make sure the swifts have a clear flight access by fitting the boxes away from tall trees, high walls or cables.
- Avoid placing nest boxes above doors or windows.
- As swifts like to live in colonies, if possible install multiple swift boxes.
- Sloping-roofed boxes will ensure rain doesn’t collect and predators can’t perch.
- Nest boxes made from woodstone are best, but they are heavy. Choose wooden boxes if your bricks are older and may struggle to support the weight.
- Use a PA system to play swift calls near your nest box. This will make it easier for the swifts to find it. Follow this link and scroll to the very bottom of the page to find detailed information on when to play your swift calls.
- Don’t worry if the swifts don’t immediately find your nest boxes – it can sometimes take a few years.
