Notes for Property Owners
Local authorities
Many local authorities have estates of council houses of an age
that makes them ideal for swift colonies. In fact some of the largest
breeding colonies in the UK are in such estates. Most householders
either don't know they have swifts nesting in their roofs, or, when
it is pointed out to them, the majority are quite happy. As and
when these houses are renovated, it is a legal requirement under
the terms of the Wildlife Act that swifts are not disturbed during
their breeding season (mid-May to end-August); and it is highly
desirable that provision for continued access be made when renovation
takes place. This can be done by making small access slots (25-35mm
x 60-70mm) at one metre intervals at the back of the soffit or fascia
board.
A number of local authorities now have proactive policies for swift
conservation, often by means of a Species Action Plan as part of
the local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP). Some examples follow,
together with initial contact details.
CAMDEN has swifts
written into its Biodiversity Policy for the Built Environment.
They are encouraging the use of swift bricks in new developments
in the borough. Contact: Moira Cash email moira.cash@camden.gov.uk.
CHERWELL DISTRICT COUNCIL
has included this statement under the Settlements section of its
BAP:
"Action: Identify buildings including churches which support
swift colonies and seek measures to safeguard and enhance these
colonies. Promote swift-friendly building maintenance and promote
the use of swift nestboxes on domestic properties. Seek opportunities
to incorporate swift bricks or nestboxes in new developments...A
leaflet could be produced in association with ornithological societies
and bat groups to give to developers." Contact Chris Mason
01869 350518
GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL
agreed to erect Hirsel-type nestboxes on suitable properties in
the city.
Initial contact: Clare Darlaston, 0141 554 8262.
NORTH CORNWALL DISTRICT COUNCIL
has produced leaflet on Swifts, Swallows and House Martins.
Contact: Heritage Coast and Countryside Project, 01208 74121,
NORTH LANARKSHIRE.
An excellent model of an LBAP action plan for this authority was
drawn up by Clare Darlaston and is set out in full on her Scottish
AfS website.
NORWICH CITY COUNCIL
has provided purpose-designed nesting boxes in all the pantile roofs
of the rented houses which they renovate. Contact: Housing Services
01603 212835
PETERBOROUGH CITY COUNCIL
has produced leaflet on Swifts, Swallows and Martins. Contact: Community
Wildlife Officer, 01733 453400.
WARRINGTON BOROUGH COUNCIL
has taken steps to safeguard large colonies in middle-aged housing
stock. A similar initiative is planned for Manchester. Initial contact:
Brian Martin, 01925 264251.
WEST SUSSEX has incorporated
swift accommodation into existing and new buildings (eg, a library,
a police station and council offices) Initial contact: Graham Roberts
(West Sussex CC Ecologist) graham.c.m.roberts@btinternet.com
Housing Associations
Where council housing stock has been taken over by a Housing Association,
it is usual for a renovation programme to be implemented. The most
common method nowadays is to use a type of pvc cladding and upvc
boxed soffits, with the resulting exclusion of swifts from their
usual nesting ledges. There is a simple and effective solution,
however, exemplified by the experience in Bedford in 2000. The Housing
Association, Pilgrim Trust, had taken over some 700 council houses
there. After discussions with AfS, they agreed to make slots in
the upvc soffits. The net result has been a slight increase in the
size of the colony! Interviews with a random selection of householders,
carried out by two AfS members and a local Swift Champion, Ms Jane
Kelly, revealed that most were happy to have swifts in their houses.
Of course, where anyone objected, no slots were made in their soffits.
Churches and historic buildings
Approaches have been made to church authorities and organisations
and to the organiations responsible for historic buildings with
mixed success. Such buildings are traditionally home to substantial
swift colonies, which are lost if restoration work is carried out
unsympathetically. The blocking of swift access in the old buildings
around Ely Cathedral is a case in point. We hope that there will
be a wider adoption of the special nestbox designed for use in church
towers with louvred windows.
Private owners
Just as suburban gardens are now regarded as potential wildlife
havens (Contact RSPB for details), there is no doubt that the owners
of suitable properties can do a lot for swifts, either by insisting
that the builders make suitable provision for access when re-roofing
or renovating properties, or by erecting nestboxes. AfS is always
happy to give advice on these matters.
 
Local Council Procedures
The following two documents record the PROCEDURES
by which a policy on swifts was adopted by a local council.
| Part 1: Recommendation
of the Housing Manager to the Housing Committee
Report of Housing Manager
To Housing Committee – 14 May 1997
Subject RE-ROOFING PROGRAMMES AND PROTECTED BIRDS
Introduction
1 Over the past twenty years the Council have been progressively
re-roofing its inter-war and post-ware housing stock.
2 The inter-war stock represents some 30% of the Council’s
total housing …………….
3 This report is to advise the Committee that a number of
properties are being colonised by swifts, which are a protected
species under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act
1991, the implications being that the Council are unable to
disturb these roofs during the swifts’ nesting season,
which is May to September. This will have workflow and planning
implications...
4 Further implications are that when re-roofing takes place,
the existing nesting sites of protected birds are totally
destroyed and further use of these sites is prevented using
our current methods of re-roofing. However there is no obligation
within the Act for the nesting sites to be retained.
5 The Technical Group have designed a suitable nesting box
for use within the existing soffit and have discussed and
agreed the design with English Nature (see attached letter)...
6 As can be seen from the letter, the council appear to be
leading the way in the preservation of the swift if it adopts
this method of re-roofing and if the Committee are in agreement,
English Nature would like to publicise this fact..
Financial Implications
7 The 1997/98 re-roofing programme of £578,000 has already
been agreed. The cost of providing the proposed nesting boxes
would be £8,000, which would be funded from the 1997/98
HIP budget for re-roofing ...
Equal opportunities
8 The condition of the Council’s properties has a significant
bearing on the quality of life of all low income and disadvantaged
groups.
Environmental Implications
The swift and its habitat are protected under Section 1 of
the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 during the months of
May to mid-August. Our current methods of re-roofing destroy
the potential habitat forever. By adopting the provision of
nesting boxes, we are preserving the swifts’ habitat
Recommendations
9 Members are requested to agree that
(1) the nesting boxes are introduced into the re-roofing design
for this and future years’ re-roofing programme;
(2) discussions between [the] Council and English Nature take
place prior to any publicity release.
Signed J ....., Housing Manager 1st May 1997 |
Part 2 The recording
of the decision in the minutes of the Housing Committee
15.RE-ROOFING PROGRAMMES AND PROTECTED BIRDSRESOLVED,
having considered the Housing Manager’s report to:
(1)approve the introduction of nesting boxes into the re-roofing
design for this and future years’ re-roofing programmes;
(2)authorise discussions with English Nature prior to any
publicity release.
[NB The Committee decision then has to be
ratified by the full Council]. |
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