Grimsby Swift enthusiasts' in plea for help as they strive to revive fortunes of under-threat bird

                                                                 

Time was when Swifts nested in the church tower but those days are thought have long gone

AN appeal has been sounded for any information  about the whereabouts of Swifts in Grimsby, Cleethorpes, Immingham and other towns and villages in North-east Lincolnshire.

As in other parts of Britain, there has been a huge decline over the past couple of decades - and they are no longer thought to nest in, for example, Grimsby Minster, also known as St James' Church.

Any data will be collated by the Grimsby Area Swift Project, a group set up four years ago to monitor breeding sites and to seek to persuade housebuilders to incorporate special Swift nesting bricks in their developments.

Says co-ordinator Joy Croot: "The alarming decline of this iconic summer visitor is mainly due to the loss of nesting sites. 

"Swifts are reliant on dark crevices high up in buildings to make their nests, and will return to exactly the same spot each year. 

"The trend for restoration, renovation and PVC soffits has meant that many Swifts have lost the homes that they’ve used for many years and can no longer find a suitable replacement. 

"Swift boxes, and particularly integral Swift bricks, make an ideal substitute nest for this red-listed species. 

"Other birds though, such as Great Tits, Blue Tits, House Sparrows, Starlings and House Martins will also use them."

She continues: "GASP lobbies Lincolnshire local authorities' planning departments to recommend the incorporation of Swift bricks into all new builds

"We talk to developers and builders; we give presentations to various groups about Swifts; we install Swift boxes at suitable sites; we have strong links to Swift groups around the country.

"But we need input from the public

"We would like to hear from anyone in North East Lincolnshire who knows of:

* A Swift brick being used for nesting by Swifts (they are here between April/May to August/September

* A Swift brick being used by another bird species for roosting or nesting

"We would also welcome sightings of  ‘screaming parties’ of Swifts and from anyone who is  a in a position to be able to influence builders or developers."

Anyone who can help should contact Joy or Martin Francis at: 

grimgaspers@gmail.com