Quarndon Swift Group - 2025 update
Following the award of a Birds on the Brink grant in 2024 to the Quarndon Swift Group, we were pleased to receive an update.
On behalf of the group, John Farnsworth tells us: ‘Thanks to a surge in demand from supportive, nature-loving residents, a staggering 38 nest units have either been fitted or committed-to this year. That pretty much nails our target to double the number of nest units in the parish during this, our second year, to 80.’
He continued: ‘Our lead time for nest units and, thanks to QSG member Richard Pollard, our free caller systems, is short - meaning we can have nest units and callers installed within 7-10 days of surveying a property. Consequently, there's plenty of time for even more supportive residents to get nest units in place before the start of the UK Swift season, in early May. Furthermore, at the present time, we still have generous grants available to support third-party fitting costs.’
And there is more good news. John tells us: ‘Thanks to church warden Mike Annable, we have conducted an initial survey of St Paul's belltower and concluded that, although less simple than we'd hoped, we can (subject to approval by the church authorities) install some tailor-made nest units in the tower. These boxes will sit behind the louvres of the tower, be invisible from the outside, and will require no drilling of the stonework whatsoever. The next step is to submit our proposals to the authorities. Church towers are a favourite haunt of Swifts and are of course on publicly accessible sites that everyone in the parish can see. Surely a win-win?’
In an interesting aside, he adds: ‘Some superbly artistic additional educational literature on Swifts was delivered to Curzon School this month, Head teacher Amanda Fletcher being very grateful. We hope pupils will use their unparalleled skills in mithering their parents to support Swifts!’
Lastly, the Quardon Swift Group emphasised that their progress would not have been possible were it not for funding from Birds on the Brink and Quarndon Parish Council. So they would like to pass on their thanks to all those who support Birds on the Brink and provide funding for the charity.