Swift Nest Box

Swifts are incredible little birds that used to  find nesting spaces up under eaves and gables using small gaps but in our tidy world, these gaps have closed or the buildings are gone completely and the nesting spaces for these beautiful creatures have reduced dramatically. Along with the nesting spaces Swift numbers have also reduced dramatically so any help they can get will help them survive another generation. Swifts retrn to the same nesting sites year on year so once they are established you may have yearly visitors raising their families or arial acrobats.

Made from strong ply with a small, perfectly suitable Swift hole, these boxes offer plenty of space for nesting, giving the chicks a safe start in life. The Swift starts looking for their nesting site or a new one if their old one disappeared under development as soon as they arrive in late April to early May and continue to nest usually between May and July each year.

Siting and Positioning:
It is suitable for sheltered spot against a wall right up under the eaves or gables. North and East facing walls may be preferred by the birds where possible and a clear flight is needed. Swifts swoop down and then up so they can enter the box so a clear run gives them the chance to get to the nest box hole. Do not attach to the soffits.

Dont treat the plywood, it may discourage the Swifts from nesting. It should keep the worst of the weather off under the eaves.

Site around 16ft or 5m high tight up under the eaves avoiding windows and doors. Fix only to the wall as anything else could come crashing down. Once up the birds need to be left undisturbed so if you want to use a nest box camera fit these prior to fixing the box to the wall.

Attract them to your new nest box by playing Swift calls, they do nest in colonies so may be interested to inspect your nest box if they hear Swifts nearby.

Cleaning:

Swifts are clean birds but other bird species may also use the box and may not be so tidy. If you want to clean there is access behind the nest box to clean it out before replacing the nest box fixture back secure into place.

Cleaning should be done between breeding seasons and please do not disturb the birds while the box is being used

Material:

Thick Plywood

Colour:

Natural wood

Dimensions:
Height: 220mm
Width: 440mm
Depth: 220mm

Weight:
2.1kg approx.