New homes for swifts installed across town

A network of swift boxes has been created across a town in Derbyshire to give the under-threat birds new homes.

Five neighbourhoods in Chesterfield had 70 such boxes installed high up on homes to give the migratory birds spaces to nest when they return in May after wintering in central Africa.

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, which installed the boxes as part of its Wilder Chesterfield project, said swifts look to use the same nest sites for life but building renovations and repairs can mean these nooks can disappear.

A loss of nest sites, coupled with declining insect numbers and the loss of green spaces, has led to a 66% fall in numbers, said the Wilder Connections officer Mark Newton.

He said: "Without the support of communities, these birds would really struggle to find places to nest in Chesterfield."

The boxes installed on volunteer homes have been 3D printed using eco-friendly materials like cornstarch, sawdust, and calcium carbonate by Derbyshire firm Peak Boxes.

They are designed to be self-cooling to keep chicks from overheating, and 50 of the new boxes are designed to also provide a roost for bats.

Newton said: "We have been overwhelmed by the number of positive responses.

"People are so enthusiastic and happy about sharing their homes with swifts.

"It's really heartwarming, and it goes to show what a huge impact we can have for nature when communities join forces."

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