Hopes to ‘boost’ swift population in Salisbury

The McCarthy and Stone development in Endless Street will see around 20 swift bricks installed, which will provide much-needed nesting places for the birds.

The installation of the boxes has come about after Salisbury and Wilton Swifts got in touch with McCarthy and Stone who are building the retirement development.

Daniel Kronenberg, of Salisbury and Wilton Swifts, said: “Swifts have declined by 50 per cent over the last 20 years, one of the biggest problems is the lack of places to live with houses being demolished or renovated or holes blocked up and with new builds there are no space for them to nest.

“This could be a big boost to the population in Salisbury. That is what we’re hoping.”

Garry Whitham, the technical manager on the site, said: “We were very happy to help.”

The special boxes have a crescent shaped hole on one side which can be accessed by the swifts. They will be installed on the parapet walls.

Daniel added: “We are a small voluntary group trying to improve the conditions and lives of this iconic bird that is in decline.

“In the past the population was quite high in Salisbury. There were a few thousand now there are a few hundred.

“Salisbury and Wilton Swifts was formed to try to reverse this. We have really valued how easy it has been working with them [McCarthy and Stone] and how receptive they have been and kept in touch with us.”

To mark the national Swift Awareness Week, which runs from June 22 to 30, Salisbury and Wilton Swifts is holding walk and talk events to observe the birds and find out more.

The first takes place this evening (Saturday, June 22), meeting outside Sarum College, The Close, Salisbury at 8pm followed by another walk and talk event in Wilton on Friday, June 29, meeting outside the Greyhound Inn at 8pm.

Those wishing to take part can just turn up on the day. A suggested donation of £5 is asked.

For more information about Salisbury and Wilton Swifts call Daniel on 07791849372 or dankron@hotmail.co.uk