Cranking up the blog for the 2019 swift season.
We've already attended our first event: Big Green Day at Telegraph Hill on Saturday 4 May. Lots of people stopped at our stall and most of them already seemed to be aware of swifts in the area, so we were able to explain the importance of finding and increasing nest sites. Quite a few people were interested in participating in the RSPB Swift Survey too, so it was a very encouraging start to the year.
The first swift sightings of 2019 have started to come in and have been added to our 2019 Lewisham Swift Sightings Map. Sightings in 2019 are coloured green and we're aiming for a wider spread than last year (2018 = blue). Known nest sites (burgundy) identified from the RSPB records are still to be added.
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Thursday, July 12, 2018
Welcome to residents of areas around Devonshire, Adamsrill and Lowther Hill Roads!
We've been leafleting specific roads in Forest Hill, Sydenham and Honor Oak and have had a great response.
We created two leaflets to promote Lewisham Swifts. An A6 leaflet lists our contact details (Kilmorie Road residents may recognise that leaflet!) and an A5 'Swift spotters' leaflet explains a bit about swifts and asks people to report swift sightings to us.
Originally we intended to use the 'Swift spotters' leaflets to target a broad audience and help build a picture of where swifts were being seen across a wide area. But the hot weather made the idea of standing at train stations etc handing leaflets to disinterested passers-by seem less appealing.
Fortunately we had received a few leads about nest sites (a nest in Adamsrill Road had been logged on the RSPB Swift Survey map, and there were reports via social media of nests in Devonshire/Tyson Road and Lowther Hill). So we decided to leaflet homes in those immediate areas (still arduous work in hot weather but at least you can choose a cooler time of day).
And what a response we had! The 'owner' of the nest in Adamsrill Road got in touch; the next-door neighbour of a nest in Tyson Road gave us some house numbers in Devonshire Road to investigate; and we've had lots of enthusiastic reports of sightings (particularly from the Adamsrill Road area - they're obviously a swift-friendly bunch down there).
So now we have to build on that information and enthusiasm to work towards protecting existing nests and encouraging neighbours to install new ones, and hopefully grow the size of the colonies. Which makes leafleting in 30 degree temperatures the easy bit. Now the hard work really begins!
We created two leaflets to promote Lewisham Swifts. An A6 leaflet lists our contact details (Kilmorie Road residents may recognise that leaflet!) and an A5 'Swift spotters' leaflet explains a bit about swifts and asks people to report swift sightings to us.
Originally we intended to use the 'Swift spotters' leaflets to target a broad audience and help build a picture of where swifts were being seen across a wide area. But the hot weather made the idea of standing at train stations etc handing leaflets to disinterested passers-by seem less appealing.
Fortunately we had received a few leads about nest sites (a nest in Adamsrill Road had been logged on the RSPB Swift Survey map, and there were reports via social media of nests in Devonshire/Tyson Road and Lowther Hill). So we decided to leaflet homes in those immediate areas (still arduous work in hot weather but at least you can choose a cooler time of day).
And what a response we had! The 'owner' of the nest in Adamsrill Road got in touch; the next-door neighbour of a nest in Tyson Road gave us some house numbers in Devonshire Road to investigate; and we've had lots of enthusiastic reports of sightings (particularly from the Adamsrill Road area - they're obviously a swift-friendly bunch down there).
So now we have to build on that information and enthusiasm to work towards protecting existing nests and encouraging neighbours to install new ones, and hopefully grow the size of the colonies. Which makes leafleting in 30 degree temperatures the easy bit. Now the hard work really begins!
Mayow Park's Lark in the Park (Forest Hill) - 30 June 2018
We buddied up with the Forest Hill Society again and perched on their stall at Lark in the Park. It turned out to be a good symbiotic relationship as many visitors lived in Forest Hill so we were able to talk to them both about local swifts and the FH Society.
This time we brought some portable sky (ie some blue net fabric) and hung some swifts from it (made from the Action for Swifts mobile template).
A few people we spoke to had already heard about us. One was a local resident who had read about the Wynell Road nest box installation and had e-mailed us, eager to become involved with swifts. He has spread the word amongst his neighbours and there are now three households considering installing nest boxes!
This time we brought some portable sky (ie some blue net fabric) and hung some swifts from it (made from the Action for Swifts mobile template).
A few people we spoke to had already heard about us. One was a local resident who had read about the Wynell Road nest box installation and had e-mailed us, eager to become involved with swifts. He has spread the word amongst his neighbours and there are now three households considering installing nest boxes!
Swift Awareness Week (16-23 June 2018): Burnt Ash Road talk and visit
As part of Swift Awareness week Lewisham Swifts organised a swift social evening at the Lord Northbrook Pub in Lee. After drinks and a chat, Steve Robinson from Swift Conservation gave a talk about swifts which was followed by a walk to the swift colony in Burnt Ash Road. The swifts were on good form and we were rewarded with lots of swift action and sightings of swifts swooping to return to their nests. Many thanks to everyone who attended.
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
RSPB Swift Survey 2018: Lewisham Swifts looking for volunteers
Each year the RSPB invites the public to participate in an annual Swift Survey to record sightings of low-level roof-height screaming parties of swifts and their nest sites.
This year Lewisham Swifts is promoting the survey across the London Borough of Lewisham and inviting residents to volunteer. The survey results will be collated and reported to the RSPB and will help us to:
What does the survey involve?
Survey volunteers are allocated a 500m x 500m area of Lewisham which they survey for swift activity on (ideally) at least three occasions: one survey in each of May, June and July. If you wish you can survey your square more often as this will increase your chances of finding swifts. If you’ve volunteered late or are unable to complete all three surveys, don’t be put off - it is still valuable to conduct as many surveys as you can.
It’s best to do the survey in the evening between 7.30pm and 9.30pm because that’s when low flying swift activity near nest sites is at its peak. Alternatively you could carry out the survey in the two hours after dawn if you’re an early riser! Surveys should be done in dry, still conditions as swifts aren’t so active when it’s raining.
Only swifts seen flying at or just above roof height in close proximity to buildings, need be recorded. These swifts are likely to be nesting in the vicinity.
There are two survey forms to complete and return to us:
or via Lewisham Swifts Facebook Group page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1700377583561148/about
This year Lewisham Swifts is promoting the survey across the London Borough of Lewisham and inviting residents to volunteer. The survey results will be collated and reported to the RSPB and will help us to:
- Establish where swifts are still breeding in Lewisham.
- Identify areas that need our attention in either preserving or providing swift nest sites.
- Raise awareness and enthuse the Lewisham community about their local swifts!
What does the survey involve?
Survey volunteers are allocated a 500m x 500m area of Lewisham which they survey for swift activity on (ideally) at least three occasions: one survey in each of May, June and July. If you wish you can survey your square more often as this will increase your chances of finding swifts. If you’ve volunteered late or are unable to complete all three surveys, don’t be put off - it is still valuable to conduct as many surveys as you can.
It’s best to do the survey in the evening between 7.30pm and 9.30pm because that’s when low flying swift activity near nest sites is at its peak. Alternatively you could carry out the survey in the two hours after dawn if you’re an early riser! Surveys should be done in dry, still conditions as swifts aren’t so active when it’s raining.
Only swifts seen flying at or just above roof height in close proximity to buildings, need be recorded. These swifts are likely to be nesting in the vicinity.
There are two survey forms to complete and return to us:
- Survey Visit Recording Form: for each survey visit per square.
- Nest Location Recording Form: for recording where swifts are seen entering or leaving a possible nest site.
or via Lewisham Swifts Facebook Group page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1700377583561148/about
Swift sightings in Lewisham: mapping on Google Maps
Lewisham Swifts is inviting people across the London Borough of Lewisham to look out for swifts and report sightings to us. This will help to broaden people's awareness of swifts and help us to find more swift nesting sites.
The sightings are being plotted on a Google Map which is visible to everyone on the internet.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-o1zbebaQZm3LO0iLv0P1svdLMwjNuyR&usp=sharing
The map has three layers:
Blue: reported sightings in 2018
Yellow: nest sites that Lewisham Swifts are aware of
Reddy/pinky colour (note to self: next time choose a colour with a name 😉): nest sites that have been recorded on the RSPB Swift Survey. This has revealed nests we didn't know about and has also shown that we know of nests (eg Burnt Ash Road) that haven't been recorded on the survey. So this year we can focus on surveying these nests and recording them on the RSPB Swift Survey.
The map has been online for nearly two weeks and already has around 40 recorded sightings. As well as showing us where swifts have been seen, it also indicates our 'reach' to residents across the borough and where we need to publicise more.
If you see swifts in the borough please report sightings to us by e-mail:
lewishamswifts (at) gmail.com
Please let us know the:
- location (road name or nearest road junction if it's a long road)
- number of swifts
- date and time of day
- height they were flying (eg high in the sky or roof level)
Swifts flying at roof level and screaming can be an indication that they have nests nearby. Ultimately we want to find nest sites so that we can inform the building owners and advise them how to preserve the nests. And hopefully they or nearby residents might want to install nest boxes and try to increase the size of the colony!
The sightings are being plotted on a Google Map which is visible to everyone on the internet.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-o1zbebaQZm3LO0iLv0P1svdLMwjNuyR&usp=sharing
The map has three layers:
Blue: reported sightings in 2018
Yellow: nest sites that Lewisham Swifts are aware of
Reddy/pinky colour (note to self: next time choose a colour with a name 😉): nest sites that have been recorded on the RSPB Swift Survey. This has revealed nests we didn't know about and has also shown that we know of nests (eg Burnt Ash Road) that haven't been recorded on the survey. So this year we can focus on surveying these nests and recording them on the RSPB Swift Survey.
The map has been online for nearly two weeks and already has around 40 recorded sightings. As well as showing us where swifts have been seen, it also indicates our 'reach' to residents across the borough and where we need to publicise more.
If you see swifts in the borough please report sightings to us by e-mail:
lewishamswifts (at) gmail.com
Please let us know the:
- location (road name or nearest road junction if it's a long road)
- number of swifts
- date and time of day
- height they were flying (eg high in the sky or roof level)
Swifts flying at roof level and screaming can be an indication that they have nests nearby. Ultimately we want to find nest sites so that we can inform the building owners and advise them how to preserve the nests. And hopefully they or nearby residents might want to install nest boxes and try to increase the size of the colony!
Lewisham Swifts has a growth spurt!
Lewisham Swifts has entered its third year and we've geared up our online presence.
The group started on Facebook (where it still exists and has an active chat going on) but the Facebook Group is only visible to people who have Facebook accounts.
www.facebook.com/groups/
To broaden our presence online we have added:
1. This blog, which can be seen by everyone on the internet
lewishamswifts.blogspot.co.uk
2. A Twitter account (which can be read via the url - you don't need a Twitter account to read tweets)
@LewishamSwifts or twitter.com/lewishamswifts
3. A Facebook Page (which can been seen by everyone on the internet) to act as a gateway to the Facebook Group (which is only visible to Facebook members)
www.facebook.com/LewishamSwifts
The group started on Facebook (where it still exists and has an active chat going on) but the Facebook Group is only visible to people who have Facebook accounts.
www.facebook.com/groups/
To broaden our presence online we have added:
1. This blog, which can be seen by everyone on the internet
lewishamswifts.blogspot.co.uk
2. A Twitter account (which can be read via the url - you don't need a Twitter account to read tweets)
@LewishamSwifts or twitter.com/lewishamswifts
3. A Facebook Page (which can been seen by everyone on the internet) to act as a gateway to the Facebook Group (which is only visible to Facebook members)
www.facebook.com/LewishamSwifts
We also have an e-mail address, which should be visible in the top right hand corner of the blog screen. We've already had our first spam e-mail so perhaps we should write it online as lewishamswifts (at) gmail.com !
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Nest boxes alone are not enough to attract swifts - attraction calls must be played too. A CD and MP3 downloads can be purchased from Swift...
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Lewisham Swifts is inviting people across the London Borough of Lewisham to look out for swifts and report sightings to us. This will help ... -
Each year the RSPB invites the public to participate in an annual Swift Survey to record sightings of low-level roof-height screaming parti...