Nesting boxes welcome returning swifts

The Council and the Sustainable Haddington community group have got together to welcome back the town’s swifts from their winter break in Africa by providing nesting boxes at John Muir House, Council’s HQ.

To encourage swifts to breed and slow a decline in their numbers, four nesting boxes with several compartments have been placed under the eaves at Council HQ and others are planned for other sites around Haddington. The swift is an Urban Priority Species under East Lothian’s Biodiversity Action Plan, and Sustainable Haddington and the Council are planning a summer swift survey to check numbers.

Research by the British Trust for Ornithology shows that the number of swifts has suffered a drastic decline, with Scotland losing 53% of its population. Part of this pattern may be due to climate change and disruption to migration, but part is also due to loss of traditional nest sites. Swifts choose to breed under eaves and in roofs of old and high buildings.

The Council’s environment spokesman, Councillor Paul McLennan said: “This is a very exciting project, and adds to work in other areas to help swift numbers. It would be a shame if these beautiful birds disappeared from our towns. Fortunately we can help them very easily by providing safe nesting sites. Well done to Sustainable Haddington for taking this forward.”

Abbie Marland of Sustainable Haddington said: “We are delighted that this project is being launched, and would like to thank the Council for providing such helpful support, to the Konrad Zweig Trust for funding, and to Don Abbott for constructing the nest boxes. We’ll be running a survey of the town’s swifts over the summer, and look forward to as many people as possible taking part.”

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