July 2017 - RSPB Swift Survey

Every summer the RSPB invites people to conduct a Swift Survey in their local area and submit the findings.  The purpose of the survey is to:

"... record locations of swift nest sites around the UK. This information can then be used by local authority planners, architects, ecologists and developers to find out where swift hotspots are located around the country and therefore mitigate to protect breeding swifts during building development. This conservation planning tool plays an important role in reversing the decline of this charismatic migrant bird."

In July 2017 Rebecca posted an invitation for Lewisham residents to conduct swift surveys.

"2017 SWIFT SURVEY"

"We are looking for volunteers to go out and survey swift activity in their area. The RSPB swift conservation team is supporting us with this project and providing the materials.

We are looking for people to survey for the rest of July and into August this year. Volunteers will be allocated a 400 metre radius to survey from a point of choice. The best option is for that point to be from a home address. Surveys should take place in the early morning or two hours before sunset and just after dusk as this is when swifts are the most active around nest sites. It would be fantastic if each area could be surveyed at least twice and there is no set length of time for each survey. Of course, volunteers can do as many as they like!

Volunteers will receive a survey pack in the post with full guidance, maps of their area, survey charts and more.

With your help, we hope to be able to collect sufficient information to improve our knowledge of swifts in our local area. Having a greater awareness of their numbers and nesting sites is crucial in helping us to protect existing swift colonies and expand them through the provision of new nest sites."