Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Consider having a swift box installed
Hello!
A couple of weeks ago the lovely people at Haringey Swifts network did one of their regular installation programs around the local area and put up around 15 swift nesting boxes into people's house eaves. The cost of box and installation is £50 of which £30 is the box and £20 the installation. It is very quickly and efficiently done. My box was made by someone else so I just paid the installation fee.
Swifts migrate back to this country from thousands of miles away in Africa and were once a completely common sight in our skies. Now not so much and much of that is down to the loss of nesting crevices in roofs. They are desperate to find somewhere to nest when they return but we can help by putting up a swift box. I often see a big group of them swooping around Sydney Road screaming through the sky as they do so.
They are very social birds who like to nest together and Haringey Swifts recently put up five boxes in one street which is a very good idea!
Anyway, fingers crossed that a swift sees this box and nests in it. They are a very good harbinger of Summer and I always note the first day that I first see a swift in the sky.
Haringey Swifts also run a set of walks and talks about swifts which are always popular. Their facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/groups/haringeyswiftsgroup/ Do get in touch if you think you may wish to help....
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Apollo Smintheus
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What a great idea! Do you know if there is an email address I can contact? I'm not on Facebook.
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Permalink Reply by Christina Davis
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Here you go: haringeyswifts@gmail.com
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Thank you!!!
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Permalink Reply by KTwok
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There are a group that nest every year in the house eaves just across from me on Raleigh. It's an absolute highlight when they are swooping at high speeds for insects down the road on a summer's evening. These boxes are a fabulous idea, thanks for sharing. And do report back if a swift takes up residence with you!
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Permalink Reply by Meadow Orchard Project
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We have a couple of swift boxes available in Crouch End at Meadow Orchard. They are made by one of our volunteers from buffalo board Marine plywood so very long lasting, with white upvc roof to reflect heat.
We also have an example of a swift call sounder to help attract young swifts to potential new nesting sites. The proceeds from the sale of the boxes helps to support the community garden.
Harringay Swifts have contacts with local roofers with scissor lifts and long ladders, our knees start to knock and swifts ideally want to nest at around 5m..
They are this design of box.
https://actionforswifts.blogspot.com/2016/02/first-deployment-of-mo...
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We've added a blog page to the Meadow Orchard website with some details about how you can help swifts by installing a box, with downloadable plans. There's also a swift mapping app to help track their migration, population, breeding patterns and nesting sites.
https://meadoworchard.org/2025/02/07/swift-nestboxes-mop/
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Thanks for posting this. I love Swifts and we are lucky in Harringay in the ladder area to attract quite a lot. I watch them In my neighbours eves every year, it’s magical. They arrive in early May near me and it’s one of the highlights of my year to watch them. If you see Swifts going into nests please register with Swift mapper (google it) so they can be added to the count. As they are an endangered species we need as many as possible.
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