John Walshe

It takes a huge effort to keep up with the demand for our nest boxes. Volunteer JT is holding the 1000th Swift box he’s made the last 2 yrs for Suffolk Swifts. There’s also a Spotted Flycatcher nest box in the corner, 1 of 30 going to suitable Suffolk habitats #SuffolkBirdGroup

Swifts are nest site faithful and (mostly) pair for life. If one fails to return or is late the survivor will scream around to attract in a new partner, so #Swift nest sites are used for generations. Re-tiled roofs have black combs installed which simply block Swifts out.

Save Our Suffolk Swifts have a full project update talk next Thursday 24th April in #Hintlesham Community Centre IP8 3PS at 7:30pm. 231 Suffolk boxes were used by Swifts in 2022 then 263 boxes in 2023. How many in 2024? @SuffolkBirdGrp @suffolkwildlife Swift lovers most welcome!

Apologies for straying off topic but the first House Martins and Swallows are now arriving back & Suffolk is bone dry. If you have an open area create a mud splat and keep it moist until we have rain if you can. Here is a big splat in Woolpit! @SuffolkBirdGrp @ukhousemartins

A SOSSwift Community Set has gone to Westfield Primary School in Haverhill, Suffolk. Their pupils will decorate and number the 6 nest boxes before installation and calls will be played May-July. It will take time but a colony will develop @suffolkwildlife @SuffolkBirdGrp

Great to see that these Swift nest boxes have gone up on The Star Inn in Wenhaston where Swifts nest already under their roof tiles. Big colony coming! @SuffolkBirdGrp @suffolkwildlife Swift conservation works

SOSSwifts have donated 5 Swift nest boxes and a 240V call system to Old Newton Primary School, near #Stowmarket. Their pupils will decorate & number the nest boxes plus line the egg concaves with feathers before installation on this gable. @SuffolkBirdGrp @suffolkwildlife

Save Our Suffolk Swifts provide free surveys & advice, we also distribute nest boxes. 3 have gone to a location near Beccles where calls will be played from early May. Interesting to hear that the location had Turtle Doves last year and Little Owls breed too. @SuffolkBirdGrp

A ‘Save Our #Suffolk Swifts’ Community Set has gone to this United Reform Church in #Felixstowe; multiple nest boxes and a 240V call system to help attract in the younger Swifts looking for a future place to nest. Funded by generous donations of time and money. @SuffolkBirdGrp

Another car load of Save Our Suffolk Swift nest boxes collected from ace volunteer JT; now over 600 Swift boxes made for us, plus Little and Tawny Owl, Spotted Flycatcher, Nuthatch and Treecreeper too. All space for nature ! @SuffolkBirdGrp @suffolkwildlife #Conservation

Save Our Suffolk Swifts help developers plot universal nest bricks to BS42021 into. developments. Sometimes we spread our wings and stray over the border. 245 nest bricks have been plotted onto an upcoming housing site in Aylsham, Norfolk; nesting space for life @SuffolkBirdGrp

A Swift Community Set of 7 nest boxes+240V call system has gone to the @suffolkpunch for the barn adjacent to their visitors’ centre @SuffolkBirdGrp @suffolkwildlife. SOSSwifts also chatted about mud splats for House Martins & Swallows, plus providing scruffy areas for insects.

Save Our Suffolk Swifts provide free surveys and advice. Great trip to Wenhaston with 4 Swift nest boxes going to a location where Swifts breed with another 2 boxes going to a location adjacent to a different Swift colony there. Adding nesting space to existing colonies helps!

A Swift Community Set has been donated to St John’s United Reform Church in Ipswich; 6 Swift boxes and a 240V call system. We have more sets available for suitable prominent elevations of public buildings around Suffolk. Pass the word! @suffolkwildlife @SuffolkBirdGrp

A Swift Community Set comprising of 6 Swift nest boxes + call system has gone to Hartismere School in #Eye. Pupils will line the egg concaves with feathers then decorate and number the boxes & will receive an Aldeburgh Amazing Swifts assembly. @SuffolkBirdGrp @suffolkwildlife

Suffolk Bird Group stalwart John Turner has been donating his time making Swift nest boxes for SOSSwifts over the past year. Incredibly these are the 399th and 400th ones he’s made with all distributed, mainly for Swift Community Sets. Amazing!! @SuffolkBirdGrp @suffolkwildlife

I spy, with my little eye, something beginning with…. S…. ⁦@suffolkwildlife⁩ ⁦@SuffolkBirdGrp⁩ ⁦@Spe24Simon⁩.