Swifts arrive in Groombridge in April or May after a 3000+ mile flight from Africa – we’ve seen and heard a few but not in the numbers we used to take for granted. They are larger than swallows or house martins with long scythe shaped wings and a short forked tail. They appear black against the sky ( see photos) and have an easily recognizable silhouette – you may come across a group of them circling low round the green in front of the Crown pub. They are magnificent flyers – UK’s fastest bird ( up to 70mph) in level flight and spend the majority of their lives airborne, collecting insects or scooping up water, even sleeping on the wing – typically they could fly over 2 million miles in a lifetime – only landing to nest.
Swifts are on the red list of endangered species as their numbers are in sharp decline. Many of their UK nesting sites like cracks in barns, churches and old buildings have disappeared during renovation. Taking a lead from the RSPB, Wild Groombridge is encouraging installing swift boxes wherever there is a suitable site. We’ve teamed up with Men’s shed who are making them for us (£ 25 see photo ). Swifts mate for life and will come back year after year. The special boxes (shown in the last photo) need to be apprx. 5m up with an open flight path – any aspect apart from due south (unless shaded). We’re cobbled together an inexpensive swift caller to attract them ( details available on request – Phil 07836599212).
Phil
Wild Groombridge 