Going Wild in BC
Swifts’ Group
Swifts are here for only 3 months of the year, so learn more to make the most of their stay.
Progress so far...
- Six nest boxes are in the church tower and soon we will have the recorded calls playing on a timer during the day. This is a known technique to attract swifts to nest in nest boxes. We have found swift droppings in the boxes so we are hopeful these will be used this year. See photo of Clive Mullard in Church Tower above.
- Clive Mullard has been uploading our Swift records from last year onto the Swift-mapper app which is free. This is how we will record this year’s Swift nesting sites and evening screaming parties as you can do it from a smartphone or laptop at the time.
- A list of Swift surveyors to be held by Going Wild in Bishop’s Castle. Please let us know if you are ok with us keeping your details for the purpose of knowing who is involved and keeping you informed.
- We have 10 Swift boxes to give away, but we need to check if your house is suitable. Please get in touch if you wish to have one, email: goingwild@lightfootenterprises.org and send your details to Dan.
The boxes have been made by Walters Workshop – big thank you to them.
Swift Group
Our Swift Group is seasonal, and during the Summer, seeks to record how many nestboxes are installed and how many nests are occupied each year in town! We also count how many are feeding on the wing at various known hunting grounds around Bishop’s Castle. This fast declining species is dependent on insects for food, which are themselves declining due to our rampant use of pesticides, and crevices in buildings to nest in, which are often filled in with insulation in these modern times. To help encourage them, we also install new swift boxes across the town, which are built over the colder winter months by local repair café, Walter’s Workshop.
A Swift in flight!
The Chase!
The chase continues...
