Chirk group creating 150 nesting spaces for swifts, Rotary club hears

A Chirk community group has created more than 150 nesting spaces for swifts since 2021 as it works to protect birds which are a familiar sight during the summer months.

Hayley Garrod, from Chirk Swifts and House Martins, told members of Borderland Rotary Club that changes to building techniques and the climate were making it increasingly difficult for swifts, house martins, swallows and sand martins to establish nesting sites.

Hayley set up the community group after seeing a colony of swifts nesting at Chirk Aqueduct and has since worked with other groups to design and build nesting boxes that can be fitted to homes.

"Making and installing affordable nest boxes was where Chirk Swifts and House Martins really started," she said.

"Since 2021, we have created over 150 nesting spaces for swifts in the local area."

The group also makes electronic bird-call devices designed to encourage swifts to investigate potential nesting sites.

Hayley said monitoring existing nests was also important because swifts and house martins can return to the same sites year after year.

The group's latest project is a large nesting box which it hopes will provide a home for sand martins at Aston Nature Reserve, beside the Montgomery Canal near Queen's Head, Oswestry.

Sand martins traditionally nest in sandy river and canal banks, but suitable habitats are becoming increasingly difficult to find.

The group is aiming to raise £3,500 for the project and says it is currently halfway towards its target. Volunteers hope to install the nesting box early next year.

Hayley said: "Swifts and house martins are such a part of a British summer, but they may not have a future if we don't help them."

Anyone interested in finding out more about Chirk Swifts and House Martins or supporting the Sand Martin project can visit the group's website or fundraising page.