Yesterday a group of us visited Great Hope Farm, Leighton at the kind invitation of John and Lesley Cookson. John has placed several home-made Swift boxes (and 3 Swift bricks) on their house, and they plan to put up more. At present they have 15 pairs nesting. John is convinced that there are enough insects for them all, but their decline is due to shortage of nesting space (plus potential hazards on migration). This year many one-year-old non-breeders have been prospecting his boxes in late June and early July. These birds are often called 'bangers' as they do tend to hurl themselves at the boxes. They are especially noisy and form the screaming parties that can sometimes be seen over their farmyard.
Many thanks to John and Lesley for the inspiring guided tour plus tea and biscuits. Also thanks to Tammy and Lowri from MWT for the initial contact, and to Llanidloes Swift Group for sorting us into groups to visit. Perhaps next July John and Lesley can be persuaded to repeat the invitation! Finally, thanks to Mark Wilson, for this photo of a Swift over Sarn on 12 May.
Grand job-great to see someone doing so much for them.
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