Article by Mark Pasco
A perfect summer’s evening in late-June saw nearly forty people out for Wotton’s first ever swift walk.
Starting in the swift stronghold of Bradley Street the group made their way down past a series of known swift nest sites (marked by blue plaques), a swift brick, several new nest boxes and a house martin’s mud-cup nest.
Walk leader Mark Pasco briefed the group on nest materials, the wonder of migration and some amazing statistics on the speeds inspiring the bird’s name.
At the Chipping (once known as the Green Chipping) the group saw the two nest boxes on the UTEA hall – supported by the Town Council and sponsored by donations from the walkers.
The walk ended at St. Mary’s church where they are awaiting permission for nest boxes to be sited on the bell tower, as part of their Eco-church initiative.
In total enough money was raised to buy five new nest boxes, commissioned from the Cotswold Community Men’s Shed.
Why do swifts need our help?
The swift, being an endangered species of colony bird – through loss of traditional nest sites and scarcity of airborne insects – needs our support.
The hope is that local initiatives, and raised awareness, can all help in their conservation.
Four quick take-aways:
- Mapping (of known nest sites) – contact markpasco@hotmail.co.uk
- Nest boxes (£20 each) – Cotswold Men’s Shed (and collect at the Keepers)
- Swift bricks (ideally in pairs) – Town Planning Committee
- Rescue ( of fallen nestlings) – Stroud Swift Group
Swifts, to many of us, are the sound of summer, racing noisily across the rooftops of the town and no bird spends more of its life in the air.
Their ‘red arrow’ fly-bys lift our heads and our hearts.
Swifts place in history.
“Wotton has been the swifts summer home for hundreds of years,” said Mark, “So we need to protect our heritage in wildlife to remain: “strong by stream and staple,” as our Town motto reminds us.”