Frome Wild Bunch Column – Spring is finally here bringing beauty and birdsong

Hi, this is Jo from the Wild Bunch.

Spring is finally here bringing beauty, birdsong and for me two annual conditions. I start putting wild garlic into absolutely every meal and I develop a sore neck from constantly looking up, waiting for one of my favourite birds to return – the swift.

I love swifts because they are truly unique. Sleeping, eating, bathing and even mating all happen on the wing. They rarely touch the ground. They are also the fastest birds in level flight, reaching speeds of up to 69mph. These summer visitors to the UK spend their winters in Africa, migrating around 3,400 miles twice a year, often stopping in Portugal and France to rest before arriving in the UK in mid-spring, usually early April. That’s when we hear their happy, screaming calls.

Swifts pair for life and return to the same nest site each year. If their nest is blocked or removed, they are unlikely to breed that season. They nest in houses, churches and older structures squeezing through tiny gaps to reach roof spaces. They lay just two to three eggs and don’t breed until they are around four years old. As buildings are renovated and gaps sealed, nest sites are disappearing. Combined with insect decline, this has led to swifts being added to the UK Red List of highest conservation concern in 2021.

The good news? We can help. Installing a swift brick or nest box gives swifts a safe place to raise their young. Boxes should be placed high (at least 5m), under the eaves, on a north or east-facing wall to avoid overheating. Swifts approach at speed, swooping upward to land, so they need clear flight access with no trees and electrical cables on their path. Swifts like to nest near each other so if your site is new for swifts playing swift calls near new boxes can help attract them.

If your home isn’t suitable, encourage churches, schools and larger buildings in your community to install swift boxes. Frome Town Hall where I work is an ideal swift habitat and swifts are often spotted around the building. For this reason, this spring, the Wild Bunch, Frome Town Council, the Memorial Theatre, St John’s Baptist Church and Christ Church have partnered to install 20 new swift boxes, kindly made by Frome Shed. Next year we hope to go bigger and develop a town-wide Swift Plan and support more neighbourhoods to take part.

If you ever find a swift on the ground, gently scoop it up and allow it to take off when ready.

Never throw it. And please avoid pesticides as swifts rely on flying insects like midges and aphids.

To join the Wild Bunch or receive our newsletter, email : fromewildbunch@gmail.com or join our next gathering is on 16th April from 1.30pm to 3pm. The focus will be Planting for Pollinators and Paul from CIC Meadow in My Garden will talk to us about creating pollinator-friendly habitats. Book tickets and find out more about the Wild Bunch at https://www.frometowncouncil.gov.uk/our-community/community/wild-bunch.