Swift boxes installed in Salisbury to boost bird numbers
Have you spotted any around the city?
Last updated 29th Jun 2022
In order to help try and reverse the trend of declining Swift numbers, Salisbury City Council and Salisbury and Wilton Swifts have teamed up to install boxes around the city.
There are several colonies of the bird around Salisbury, including around Sarum College in the Cathedral Close and Friary Lane.
However, they are in a big decline.
Swifts nest primarily in buildings – under roofs or in walls but due to building demolition, renovation and roof repair, there is no longer space for these birds to breed.
Between 1995 and 2021, UK breeding numbers decreased by 58%.
So, the city is hoping to do their bit by installing these Swift boxes.
They have been placed at the Bemerton Heath Centre, Hudson’s Field and Devizes Road Cemetery Lodge.
More locations are also being looked at.
Environmental Services Manager, Marc Read said:
“Thank you Salisbury and Wilton Swifts for working with us to help increase biodiversity in our City. We are lucky to have a number of Swifts visit Salisbury so it is important that we do all we can to reverse the decline. Please visit the Salisbury and Wilton Swifts website to find out what you can do to help."
Daniel Kronenberg, coordinator of Salisbury and Wilton Swifts, added:
“Our group has really welcomed Salisbury City Council’s commitment to helping conserve swifts in Salisbury. This iconic species is still in serious decline and last December was placed on the Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern. We hope that our work with the council will go towards stabilising, or even reversing, the downward trend.”