Homes for Swifts takes off!

TWO public meetings last week saw the launch of the Homes for Swifts project for 2026.

RSPB Antrim Local Group, the local bird club, has been running this project since 2024 in an effort to provide more nest sites for the swift, a bird species whose numbers have dropped in the UK by over two thirds in less than thirty years.

The villages targeted for the project this year are Ballynure and Straid. A meeting was held in each village to mark the start of the project.

At the meeting in Ballynure, the evening began with a reading about swifts from Anthony McGeehan and Julian Wyllie’s book, “Birds of the Homeplace”.

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Julie Gilmour spoke and officially launched the Homes for Swifts project for 2026.

Next, Councillor Annemarie Logue, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Swift Champion, announced recent steps taken by the council to safeguard and improve the position of swifts in the borough.

The audience was treated to a viewing of a clip from the TV programme Hamza’s Hidden Wild Isles.

This told the story of a street in Leeds where the falling numbers of swifts has been reversed. It began with one man putting up swift nest boxes on his house.

Then other people in the street joined in and, from a couple of nesting pairs 13 years ago, there are now over 40 pairs.

More and more families have become involved by having swift boxes put up on their homes. It was wonderful to see residents of the street, including small children, watch in awe as parties of swifts flew screaming around the houses at the end of the day.

Kate McAllister, secretary of the bird club then talked more about the swift’s unusual lifestyle mentioning the facts that it can eat, drink and even sleep on the wind.

Although a swift looks like a swallow or a house martin, it is not related to either of these birds. She also explained the Homes for Swifts project whereby householders, businesses and organisations can be given two swift boxes and lent a swift caller system. This system is needed to attract swifts to newly installed nest boxes.

Finally the evening ended with four inspirational short talks by local people who have swift boxes on their properties.

They spoke of how they got the boxes up, played the swift call and they told of having seen the results as swifts investigated the newly provided nest boxes. Swifts live a long time and do not usually breed till they are 3 or 4 years old, so there may be a long run in time before a nest box is used.

Angela, one of the local speakers said: “The Homes for Swifts project has shown me how a small action like putting up two boxes and a caller can make a real difference in helping the swift population In our area of Parkgate. Not only did this benefit the swifts but also us - we have thoroughly enjoyed watching the aerial acrobatics of these unique birds and listening to their distinctive calls as they circled our home.”

Lesley-Anne, another local speaker said, “If you provide a home and play the swift’s call they will eventually come. It is amazing to see and hear. Better than watching TV during the daylight hours.”

The evening ended with a cup of tea and a chat when members of the audience could look at the samples of swift nest boxes and bricks on display and see a caller system. Those wishing to learn more registered their interest in joining the Homes for Swifts project for 2026.