Nest boxes have been installed in Malvern Vale and West Malvern to help the British swift population, whose numbers are in decline.
Up to 20 swift boxes were installed on May 30, on homes around the Malvern Vale Estate and in West Malvern.
Another two were installed at the YMCA Malvern Vale Community Centre.
They were installed on homes where residents had responded to a leaflet calling out for people to get involved in the project. A further 10 boxes were installed on June 8.
The project is the second of its kind led by Simon Evans, Worcester and Malvern RSPB group member, in an effort to help these threatened birds.
It was supported by Sue Martyr, Malvern Hills District Council’s Community Builder, and was funded by councillors John Raine and Julie Wood.
The Malvern Hills District still has nesting swifts, however, UK swift numbers have declined by 60 per cent in recent times.
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In response to their rapid decline, local artist Juliet Mootz, whose practice is focused on exploring events in the environment and nature, is currently working on raising awareness of the needs of the swifts.
She has been working with ‘Let’s See’, a group of visually impaired artists, as part of a workshop at Malvern Library. They have created work on a background Juliet has prepared with organic natural plant stains and have used stamps of swifts, and their own creativity, to create beautiful images.
Juliet Mootz said: “It was wonderful to see the efforts of so many passionate groups come together to help these incredible long-distance travellers.
“To many they sing the songs of the summer, swifts are amazing birds and anything to help fill our summer skies with them is very much appreciated”.
Simon Evans said: “New building methods and roof repairs mean swifts making the 7,000-mile journey from Africa to the UK can face a shortage of suitable nest sites.
“Incorporating swift bricks into new houses or putting swift boxes on existing ones, as we did, is a way to help alleviate this problem”.
Cllr John Raine, portfolio holder for environmental services at MHDC, said: “Providing more nesting sites for these amazing long-distance travelling birds will allow us all to continue to enjoy seeing them in our localities and, most importantly, help ensure their survival as a species".
Simon hopes to run more swift box projects in the future, to get involved email sjandjw@gmail.com for more information.
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