December 2018
Friday 14th - 7.30pm - 9pm - Our Disappearing Swifts - what we can do. A talk by Tanya & Edmund Hoare at Cumbria Wildlife Trust's Penrith & Ullswater Group. The meeting is at the United Reform Church Hall, Lowther St, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 7UW. See https://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/events
Thursday 8th - 7:30pm-9:30pm - Fareham Group Wildlife Trust - Swift Talk at
October 2018
Wednesday 10th - 7:30pm - A Swift Recovery? A talk by Louise Bentley of Bolton and Bury Swifts to Sylne & Hest Horticultural Society, Hest Bank Memorial Hall, Hanging Green Lane, Lancaster, LA1 4XF 6JB.
Saturday 13th - 10am -3pm - Welly Walk and Nature Needs You at West Park, Macclesfield.
Macclesfield RSPB Wildlife Explorers join forces with Macclesfield Town Council to provide a day of family nature and outdoor activities. Lots of information and advice on helping your garden birds and wildlife and the Swifts Over Macclesfield project. Contact publicity@macclesfieldrspb.org.uk for more information.
Thursday 18th - 7:30pm - A Swift Recovery? A talk by Louise Bentley of Bolton and Bury Swifts to Chorley Natural History Society, St Marys Parish Centre, Devonshire Rd, Chorley, PR7 2BY
September 2018
Saturday 1st - 10:00 - 17:00 - Hampshire Swifts will be at Test Valley Community Woodfair 2018 at Zionshill Copse Local Nature Reserve. See https://www.hampshireswifts.co.uk/hampshire-swifts-talks-and-events for more information.
Friday 14th - 7.30pm - 9pm - Our Disappearing Swifts - what we can do. A talk by Tanya & Edmund Hoare at Cumbria Wildlife Trust's Penrith & Ullswater Group. The meeting is at the United Reform Church Hall, Lowther St, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 7UW. See https://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/events
November 2018
Thursday 8th - 7:30pm-9:30pm - Fareham Group Wildlife Trust - Swift Talk at
Wallington Village Hall, Fareham, PO16 8ST. Andy Broadhurst of Hampshire Swifts will be discussing the reasons for the drastic decline in this fabulous species and what we can all do to help its conservation.
Tuesday 13th - 7:30pm-9:30pm - Swifts of Shropshire and Beyond. Learn more about the changing fortunes of this iconic summer visitor. Peta Sams of Shropshire Swift Group will be talking at RSPB South Shropshire Local Group meeting at Culmington Village Hall, Culmington, Ludlow, SY8 2DA. See http://www.rspbsouthshropshire.co.uk/
Saturday 24th - 9am -5pm - Bolton and Bury Swifts will be at North West Bird Watching Festival at WWT Martin Mere, Burscough, Lancashire
Sunday 25th - 9am -5pm - Bolton and Bury Swifts will be at North West Bird Watching Festival at WWT Martin Mere, Burscough, Lancashire
Wednesday 10th - 7:30pm - A Swift Recovery? A talk by Louise Bentley of Bolton and Bury Swifts to Sylne & Hest Horticultural Society, Hest Bank Memorial Hall, Hanging Green Lane, Lancaster, LA1 4XF 6JB.
Saturday 13th - 10am -3pm - Welly Walk and Nature Needs You at West Park, Macclesfield.
Macclesfield RSPB Wildlife Explorers join forces with Macclesfield Town Council to provide a day of family nature and outdoor activities. Lots of information and advice on helping your garden birds and wildlife and the Swifts Over Macclesfield project. Contact publicity@macclesfieldrspb.org.uk for more information.
Thursday 18th - 7:30pm - A Swift Recovery? A talk by Louise Bentley of Bolton and Bury Swifts to Chorley Natural History Society, St Marys Parish Centre, Devonshire Rd, Chorley, PR7 2BY
Saturday 1st - 10:00 - 17:00 - Hampshire Swifts will be at Test Valley Community Woodfair 2018 at Zionshill Copse Local Nature Reserve. See https://www.hampshireswifts.co.uk/hampshire-swifts-talks-and-events for more information.
Saturday 1st - 10:45am start - Swift Presentation at the Huntly Hairst Food Festival. Venue is the Brander Library, The Square, Huntly, Aberdeenshire. Free admission. Huntly Swift Group stall will be in the square all day, giving swift information and selling locally made swift themed gifts and raffles.
Saturday 29th - 10:00 - 16:30 - Hampshire Swifts will be at The Hospital of St Cross Michaelmas Fair, Winchester at St Cross Road, Winchester. See https://www.hampshireswifts.co.uk/hampshire-swifts-talks-and-events for more information.
Sunday 30th - 11:00 - 15:00 - Hampshire Swifts will be at Testwood Lakes Funday . See www.hiwwt.org.ukfor more information.
Fri 6th July at 7:30pm - All About Swifts - by Tanya & Edmund Hoare for the newly formed Lune Valley Swifts Group in St Paul's Church Hall, 3 New St, Brookhouse, Caton, Nr Lancaster LA2 9JR
Tuesday 10th at 8pm - Swift Pint - arranged by Wenhaston SOS Action Group. Meet at Wenhaston Village Hall car park then walk around the Village including the commons, noting swift nest sites and other birds. The walk ends at The Star pub, Wenhaston where those who want to stay on, can purchase a drink. All welcome - no need to book. Contact Jonathan Alder 07881743991 j.m.alder59@gmail.com
Monday 9 July onwards – Fulbourn Swift Watch Week including:
Thursday 12 July at 7.30 pm – Swift Survey, meet outside St Vigor’s Church, Manor Walk CB21 5BN. Please join our survey to help us better understand how our local swifts are doing.
Further info: fulbournswifts@gmail.com
Saturday 14 July 1 to 5 pm, Swift Open Day at St Vigor’s Church, Manor Walk, Fulbourn CB21 5BN. See our swifts flying around the church tower and view the live screening of nesting activity from the tower camera boxes. You’ll be able to view the rspb swift video, filmed in Fulbourn, and recorded video clips of nest box activity. There will be information displays about swifts and you’ll be able to learn about the very successful swift nest box project on the nearby Swifts Development where there are 276 boxes. Swift nest boxes will be on display with a variety of information leaflets on swift conservation. Light refreshments will be available.
Further info: fulbournswifts@gmail.com
Saturday 14th July, St. James Park Summer Festival, Southampton
Hampshire Swifts will have a stand at the festival with Swift-related exhibits and information as well as the opportunity to speak with Swift experts about how you can help us help Swifts. Further information at https://fosjp.org.uk/events/st-james-park-summer-festival/
Saturday 14th July 14:30 to 5pm - Garden Party, All saints Church, Landbeach, Cambridge: Action for Swifts will host a display and answer questions beneath the Swift colony in the belfry
Sunday 29th July, 11:00 to 16:00 - Countryside Restoration Trust is hosting an event called the Festival of Farming, Food & Wildlife. Action for Swifts will mount a display with nestboxes, booklets and leafles. Dick Newell will give a short talk at 12:15.
Monday 4th - Sat 9th - Library display by 'Swifts Over Macclesfield' in Macclesfield Library, Jordangate, Macclesfield, SK10 1EE. Find out about Swifts and what is happening in Macclesfield for UK Swift Awareness Week.
Saturday 9th - Meet a Swift - Find out just how amazing swifts are & what we can do to help them survive & thrive. 10am - noon in Presteigne Library, Market Hall Presteigne Powys , LD8 2AD
Friday 15th from 7:00pm - A Swift Talk and Walk around Tilehurst - Illustrated talk about Swifts, the challenges they face and what we can do to help, followed by a walk around the village centre to see Swifts and where they nest. Meet at Tilehurst Methodist Church, 26 School Road, Tilehurst, RG31 5AN. Free event but donations to cover the cost of the room rental will be invited. No booking needed. Contact Ailsa Claybourn Ailsaclaybourn@yahoo.co.uk 07477085246
Friday 15th from 8:00pm - Stanley Swift Project - Community event at Stanley Village Hall, 50 Perth Road, Perth PH1 4PB. Learn about the incredible journey our swifts make between Africa and Stanley every year to breed and rear their young and what we can do in our own homes to help protect their homes when they are here. Join the Guided Walk led by Daniele Muir of Perthshire Wildlife and Tayside Swifts between 8.30 and 9.30pm. Free event and no booking necessary. Contact elspeth.coutts@gmail.com for more information.
Come back to the village hall for free refreshments and to watch the screaming parties of swifts as they prepare to zoom into their nest sites and boxes as dusk approaches.
Lots happening in Swift Awareness Week but also many other events before and after so do look at these pages as well as the map for the week itself.
Over 80 events - do have a look at the map and see what's happening near you.
Over 80 events - do have a look at the map and see what's happening near you.
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| 16th-23rd June
Click on image above to see map of events across the country
and find something happening near you. |
If anyone reading about the events already planned during Swift Awareness Week (June 16-23) wants to get involved with swift conservation work or even run an event about swifts during the week do please get in touch by emailing the organiser, Nick Brown - swiftawarenessweek@gmail.com
In addition to UKSAW, several Swift Awareness events have been arranged in Eire in the same week and we are delighted to support these - for more information see www.birdwatchireland.ie
Sunday 24th - Swifts Stall at Macclesfield Treacle Market - 10:00am - 3:30pm. - The Swifts Over Macclesfield group will have a stall at this very popular monthly market where they'll be running swift related activities to interest both young and old.
Tuesday 26th - Swifts in Newnham - a talk at 6.30 pm by Dick Newell at Newnham Croft Primary School, Chedworth Street, CB3 9JF. Free event, no booking necessary.
Tuesday 26th - RSPB workshop: Retrofitting buildings for birds. This is an interactive course for architects and ecologists. It will introduce delegates to the birds most likely to nest in buildings. It will review the legal obligations, what to look for and how to protect, mitigate and or enhance the nesting opportunities. There will be particular emphasis on declining priority species such as the house sparrow and swift, and also rural species such as the barn owl.
Location: National Self Build and Renovation Centre, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 8UB
More information. Contact conservation-advice@rspb.org.uk
More information. Contact conservation-advice@rspb.org.uk
Thursday 28th from 8pm - Swift Stroll in Kirby Lonsdale, Cumbria. All are very welcome to join us to watch swifts flying around various parts of town. Meet at 8pm in the Market Square LA6 2AE, followed by optional drinks at the Royal Hotel. Organised by Sedbergh Community Swifts and Cumbria Wildlife Trust. For more information contact rogerliz39@yahoo.co.uk or ta.hoare@btinternet.com
Our first Swift Day in Portsmouth last year was a roaring success and we intend to build on this in a much bigger venue and more ambitious plans.
In the main hall we will have presentations on the progress we have made in Hampshire since we set up in 2016 and an outline of our exciting plans for the future. In addition a prominent local Swift enthusiast will be explaining her philosophy for expanding the provision of Swift nest sites in small communities and our keynote speaker, Edward Mayer, will be enthusing our audience on engaging with local authorities, planners and developers to create bio-diverse, Swift-friendly developments.
The exhibition room will have a range of interesting stands and activities for adults and children.
Drinks, snacks and light lunches will be available throughout the day.
We are also hoping to offer Swift walks in the early evening. Romsey has good numbers of Swifts within easy reach of the conference hall.
All are welcome, entrance is free but donations will be accepted. For more information contact Andy Broadhurst - andy@tali.me.uk
June 2018 - Swift Awareness Week Events listed by date
Friday 15th from 7:00pm - A Swift Talk and Walk around Tilehurst - Illustrated talk about Swifts, the challenges they face and what we can do to help, followed by a walk around the village centre to see Swifts and where they nest. Meet at Tilehurst Methodist Church, 26 School Road, Tilehurst, RG31 5AN. Free event but donations to cover the cost of the room rental will be invited. No booking needed. Contact Ailsa Claybourn Ailsaclaybourn@yahoo.co.uk 07477085246
Saturday 16th - Swift workshop at NWT Cley Marshes: Dick Newell will explore the lives of these amazing birds. He will discuss their behaviour, ecology, migration journeys, and the importance of conserving these birds. An illustrated talk, , including examples of successful nest box case studies, will be followed by a guided walk to a swift nest site.
Time: 10:30am - 1:30pm
Cost: £16 NWT members, £19 non-members
Booking essential: 01263 740008
Saturday 16th from 9am to 4pm - Swifts at Leighton Buzzard Market - Visit Bedfordshire Swifts' stand at the market on High Street, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 1EA. Spot our “Save our Swifts” banner under a gazebo; a mock-up wall with 3 swift boxes attached, one fitted with a caller to demonstrate Swift calls. Leaflets, photographs, Swift recording sheets to hand out. There will be people on the stand to discuss Swifts and encourage the public to put up boxes and/or record sightings, as Leighton Buzzard has historically had breeding Swifts near the town centre. For further information contact Judith Knight, judithknight@waitrose.com 01525 378161 or & Bob Hook bobhook864@btinternet.com 07809278401
Saturday 16th from 10am to 4pm - Aldeburgh's Amazing Swifts - Visit our ‘Swift Awareness’ stall on the sea front on Crag Path near the yacht pond Aldeburgh, Suffolk IP15 5DS and find out about Aldeburgh’s Amazing Swifts and our conservation project. We shall have Swift boxes, information leaflets, identification boards, and a story book for children. In the evening there will be a swift walk - see below for information. Free event, no booking necessary. See aldeburghsamazingswifts.co.uk . Contact Alan Collett alan.collett6@btinternet.com 07762 300050
Saturday 16th from 10:00am - noon - Swift Craft Day and Display - Informative and illustrative display panels, nest boxes and attraction call equipment, leaflets, swift badges to buy. Swift biscuits on sale in the café. Until Saturday 23rd. Also - craft session Saturday morning 16th June for children – make a swift mobile. To be held at Heritage Centre, 28 Plough Hill, Caistor, Lincolnshire LN7 6LZ. Free event, no booking needed. For more information contact Ann Cross anncross222@btinternet.com or 07464175111
Saturday 16th from 11am - 1pm - Swift Drop-in - Eye goes Green will be holding a drop-in session at The Bank Arts Centre, Eye, Suffolk IP23 7AN. Come and talk to Swift enthusiasts about Eye Swift Project and find out how you can get involved. For more information contact Sue Hooton s.hooton@phonecoop.coop 01379 871494
Saturday 16th from 11am to 3pm - Bradford on Avon Swift group will have a stand at the Strawberry Fair at Fitzmaurice Primary School, Frome Road, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1LE. For further information please email climatechampions@gmail.com
Saturday 16th from 11am to 3pm - Aldershot Swift Open Day - Blackwater Valley Swifts and North East Hants local RSPB Group will be at Learning Zone 1 (first floor), Aldershot Library, 109 High St, Aldershot, GU11 1DQ with videos and talks about the life of Swifts, how amazing they are and how citizen science is helping them in the Blackwater Valley. Local wildlife groups will have stalls and there will be displays with swift nest boxes, bricks. Survey forms will be available for recording breeding swifts.
Film showings - 11:30 ‘Devil Birds’ - The life of swifts told in a film by Derek Bromhall. Repeated at 13:30.
Talks - 12:30 Colin Wilson (BVCT) - A short talk about swifts and ways to conserve them where we live. Repeated at 14:15
Between the film and talk enjoy refreshments, chat to local conservation groups or enjoy the stands and information on hand.Free event - just come along. Contact Marion Smith, 01252 724093 or Contact@northeasthantsRSPB.org.uk. For more info about the group see www.northeasthantsrspb.org.uk and http://www.bvct.org.uk/calendar/
Saturday 16th from 10:00am - noon - Swift Craft Day and Display - Informative and illustrative display panels, nest boxes and attraction call equipment, leaflets, swift badges to buy. Swift biscuits on sale in the café. Until Saturday 23rd. Also - craft session Saturday morning 16th June for children – make a swift mobile. To be held at Heritage Centre, 28 Plough Hill, Caistor, Lincolnshire LN7 6LZ. Free event, no booking needed. For more information contact Ann Cross anncross222@btinternet.com or 07464175111
Saturday 16th from 11am - 1pm - Swift Drop-in - Eye goes Green will be holding a drop-in session at The Bank Arts Centre, Eye, Suffolk IP23 7AN. Come and talk to Swift enthusiasts about Eye Swift Project and find out how you can get involved. For more information contact Sue Hooton s.hooton@phonecoop.coop 01379 871494
Saturday 16th from 11am to 3pm - Bradford on Avon Swift group will have a stand at the Strawberry Fair at Fitzmaurice Primary School, Frome Road, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1LE. For further information please email climatechampions@gmail.com
Saturday 16th from 11am to 3pm - Aldershot Swift Open Day - Blackwater Valley Swifts and North East Hants local RSPB Group will be at Learning Zone 1 (first floor), Aldershot Library, 109 High St, Aldershot, GU11 1DQ with videos and talks about the life of Swifts, how amazing they are and how citizen science is helping them in the Blackwater Valley. Local wildlife groups will have stalls and there will be displays with swift nest boxes, bricks. Survey forms will be available for recording breeding swifts.
Film showings - 11:30 ‘Devil Birds’ - The life of swifts told in a film by Derek Bromhall. Repeated at 13:30.
Talks - 12:30 Colin Wilson (BVCT) - A short talk about swifts and ways to conserve them where we live. Repeated at 14:15
Between the film and talk enjoy refreshments, chat to local conservation groups or enjoy the stands and information on hand.Free event - just come along. Contact Marion Smith, 01252 724093 or Contact@northeasthantsRSPB.org.uk. For more info about the group see www.northeasthantsrspb.org.uk and http://www.bvct.org.uk/calendar/
Saturday 16th from 1:00pm - 5pm - Swift Open Day - at St Vigor's Church Manor Walk, Fulbourn, CB21 5EP. Arranged by Fulbourn Swifts Group. See our swifts flying around the church tower and view the live screening of nesting activity from the tower camera boxes. You’ll be able to view the rspb swift video, filmed in Fulbourn, and recorded video clips of nest box activity. There will be information displays about swifts and you’ll be able to learn about the very successful swift nest box project on the nearby Swifts Development where there are 276 boxes. Swift nest boxes will be on display with a variety of information leaflets on swift conservation. There will be a guided walk around the village to watch swifts. Light refreshments will be available. Free event and no booking necessary. Contact John Willis - fulbournforum@gmail.com or 01223 881103. See www.fulbournforum.org.uk
Saturday 16th from 5:30pm - 7pm - Eye Swift Walk - arranged by Eye goes Green. Come and see eye's amazing Swifts - a walk around town to spot where Swifts are nesting and note screaming parties. Meet at The Bank Arts Centre, Eye, Suffolk IP23 7AN. Free event - no booking necessary. For more information contact Sue Hooton s.hooton@phonecoop.coop 01379 871494
Saturday 16th from 7pm - Aldeburgh's Swift Walk - join Aldeburgh's Amazing Swifts from 7pm on a town walk to view the town’s Swifts, some nest sites and many of the nest boxes which have been put up over the past year, finishing up at the White Hart pub (home for one of our Swift families). Meet at The Moot Hall, Market Cross Place, Aldeburgh IP15 5DS. Free event, no booking necessary. See aldeburghsamazingswifts.co.uk . Contact Alan Collett alan.collett6@btinternet.com 07762 300050
For more information contact Sarah Gibson - Sarah.gibson2@btinternet.com or 01691 662745.
Saturday 16th - 9pm -10pm - Ware Swift Walk - Join Save the Swifts & House Martins of Ware for a walk to see nesting Swifts and walk through Buryfields where we will get a closer look at the artifical nests that have been installed on the developed Brewery Yard building. Meet outside the Lido, SG12 0DE. Free event - no booking necessary. Contact jaynetopping@acaciavilla.plus.com for further information and see https://www.facebook.com/swiftsandhousemartinsofware/
Saturday 16th - The Tayside Biodiversity Partnership has a swift
information table at RSPB Loch Leven (Vane Farm, Kinross) Until Saturday 23rd June
Saturday 16th - Library display by Ludlow Swift Group about swifts, how we can help them and what is happening locally. In Ludlow Library 7/9 Parkway, Ludlow Shropshire , SY8 2PG. Until Saturday 23rd June. Contact ludlowswiftgroup@gmail.com for more information.
Saturday 16th - Swift Celebration Week in Sedbergh - Shops, businesses and the tourist information centre will have swift bunting in their windows and the cafes will be selling swift biscuits. The craft workshop will have displays of swifts made from basket willow, as well as woven and appliqué designs. Swift mugs commissioned with our own unique design will be available. Organised by Sedbergh Community Swifts. Until Saturday 23rd
Sunday 16th from 11am to 3pm - Swifts at Marston Moretaine Summer Fair - Visit Bedfordshire Swifts' stand at the Summer Fair at The Millennium Country Park, Marston Moretaine, near Bedford MK43 0PR . Spot our “Save our Swifts” banner under a gazebo; a mock-up wall with 3 swift boxes attached, one fitted with a caller to demonstrate Swift calls. Leaflets, photographs, Swift recording sheets to hand out. There will be people on the stand to discuss Swifts and encourage the public to put up boxes and/or record sightings, as Leighton Buzzard has historically had breeding Swifts near the town centre. For further information contact Judith Knight, judithknight@waitrose.com 01525 378161 or & Bob Hookbobhook864@btinternet.com 07809278401
Sunday 17th June from 2pm - Aldeburgh's Amazing Swifts - Our Awareness stall will be at Snape Malting Concert Hall, Snape, IP17 1SP where we shall have Swift boxes, information leaflets, identification boards, and a story book for children.
Sunday 17th June from 8pm - Chester Swift Walk - Join Chester RSPB Group for a guided walk around Hoole to see swifts in breeding display. Free event but booking essentail. Contact Roger Nutter, Chester RSPB Group - chester1rspb@btinternet.com or 01829 782237 to book your place and for details of meeting point, etc. See www.rspb.org.uk/groups/chester or www.facebook.com/RSPBChester orTwitter: @RSPBChester
Sunday 17th from 7:00pm - Swift Watch - Join Ludlow Swift Group at Charlton Arms,Ludford Bridge, SY8 1PJ. Come and watch and learn about swifts - and other birds - over the River Teme from the top balcony of the pub. Free event. Contact ludlowswiftgroup@gmail.com for more information.
Monday 18th - Swift Lunch Break – A Drop-in stall with display and information run by Cherwell Swifts for Council and Housing Association Staff only. There will be information on Swifts, the Cherwell Swifts project, how the Council has already helped Swifts, ideas for the future including other wildlife at the site.
Monday 18th from 6pm - Screaming Swifts Summer Party - Join Wildlife Explorers to learn about these incredible birds and how our 'Swifts Over Macclesfield' project hopes to make sure that there's always space for swifts in Macclesfield. We'll be trying to spot Swifts screaming in town, playing swift -themed environmental games and enjoying some party food - bring a plate of food to share! Salvation Army Hall, Roe Street, Macclesfield, SK11 6UT. RSPB Members: £1.50 per child per meeting. (RSPB Membership Card or Number required). Non-members: £2.50 per child per meeting. Indoor Meeting Times: 6 to 9 years (Yr 1 to Yr 4) – 6.00 to 7.00 pm. Over 9 years (Yr 4 to Yr 7 & Teenagers) – 7.15 to 8.30 pm. To book contact 07870804413 or email Leaders@wildlifeexplorersmacc.co.uk.
Monday 18th from 6:30pm to 8pm - Walthamstow Wetlands Swift Talk - Edward Mayer of Swift Conservation will be talking about Swifts, the most spectacular and charismatic urban bird, their sad decline and what we can all do about it. Free entry. Register via the link at https://walthamstowwetlands.com/swift-awareness-week to guarantee your space. Numbers are limited.
Monday 18th from 6:30pm to 8pm - Walthamstow Wetlands Swift Talk - Edward Mayer of Swift Conservation will be talking about Swifts, the most spectacular and charismatic urban bird, their sad decline and what we can all do about it. Free entry. Register via the link at https://walthamstowwetlands.com/swift-awareness-week to guarantee your space. Numbers are limited.
Monday 18th at 8pm - Marlow Swift Walk - arranged by Maidenhead, Marlow and Cookham Swift Group. Join us for Marlow’s first ever Swift walk, when we will stroll around this beautiful Thames-side town to see and learn about Swifts. We will gather first at the Marlow Donkey, Station Rd, Marlow SL7 1NW from 7:45pm onwards and set off at about 8.20pm for around 40 minutes. If it is raining, the event will take place the following Monday at the same time. Free event. no booking necessary. Contact Jan Stannard, jstannard@siteset.co.uk, 07710 171704. See www.helpourswifts.org.uk
Monday 18th from 8pm - Beckenham Swift Walk - arranged by Beckenham Swift Group. A free guided evening stroll through a hotspot for swifts. It's a chance to marvel at the spectacular action they bring to our summer skies, as well as learn about their extraordinary lives and our work to save them in the London Borough of Bromley. Meet at the entrance to Crease Park in Wellhouse Road, Beckenham, BR3 3JR. The walk is free but places are limited so booking is essential. Please email bromleyrspb@gmail.com or call 07392 790719. This walk will be repeated on Thursday 21st - same time, same meeting place.
See www.rspb.org.uk/groups/bromley and www.facebook.com/rspbbromley Note that this summer we are running a Bromley Swift Survey as a first step towards helping swifts in the London Borough of Bromley. If you would like to take part please email: bromleyrspbrecords@gmail.com.
Monday 18th from 8:00 - 9:30pm - Watch the Swifts go to Bed - Come along to Kendal Business Park on the Appleby Road LA9 6EW to watch the colony of swifts at Pixel Mill. Free event arranged by Kendal Swifts but donations to Swifts in the Community group are welcome. Please contact us beforehand if the forecast is not good - as this is inevitably weather dependent: rosalind.taylor@gmail.com or ring 01539 741943.
Monday 18th - Library display by Bradford on Avon Swift Group about how we can help swifts and what is happening locally. In Bradford on Avon Library BA15 1BY. Until Saturday 23rd June. Contact Rowena.quantrill@btinternet.com for more information.
Tuesday 19th from 7pm - An Evening Swift Stroll around Bakewell arranged by Bakewell Bird Study Group. A gentle stroll to look at local swift colonies and to check on the boxes in the church and at two houses with many pairs. We hope to enjoy the screaming parties of these wonderful birds as the sun sets. Meet either in the Co-op car park, Market Street, Bakewell, DE45 1DS at 7.00pm or at the junction of Church Lane with Stanedge Road at 7.15pm. Park in the Co-op car park near the Visitors' Centre but note that parking is £1 after 6.00pm. Free event and no booking is necessary. For queries contact enquries@derbyshirewt.co.uk 01773 881188 (office hours)
Tuesday 19th from 7pm - A Swift Celebration Evening arranged by Sedbergh Community Swifts: 7pm in St Andrew’s Church, Sedbergh LA10 5BN. A talk and drinks with light refreshments to be followed by swift-watching as they hurtle around, at the church and pub, or other spots in town. Free event but donations to the swift group are welcome. There will be a display in the church all week. If the weather is bad on 19th, swift watching may be repeated on Wed 20th or Thurs 21st. For more information contact ta.hoare@btinternet.com.
Tuesday 19th at 7pm - A Swift Half in Pangbourne arranged by Swifts in West Berkshire. Meet at 7pm at Pangbourne Village Hall, Station Road, Pangbourne, RG8 7AN. An illustrated talk on Swifts, and a walk around the village to look for Swifts and their nest sites, followed by a swift half at The Elephant pub, Church Road, Pangbourne, RG8 7AR where we can sit in the garden to watch more Swifts. Free event - no booking needed. Contact Ailsa_claybourn@yahoo.co.uk or
07447085246
Tuesday 19th from 7:00pm - 9:00pm - Something in the Air – To celebrate UK Swift Awareness week, Wildlife Trust BCNis hosting an event at Trumpington Meadows nature reserve. There will be a talk by Dick Newell, the unveiling of our new box, advice on how to encourage swifts near your home and a short walk around the reserve to observe the swifts. The reserve's address is The Wildlife Trust BCN, Trumpington Meadows, Grantchester Road, Cambridge CB2 9LH. If driving please use Byron’s Pool car park next door. Event meets at the Ranger’s office. Free event and no booking necessary. See www.wildlifebcn.org/events/2018/06/19/something-air and www.facebook.com/groups/trumpingtonmeadowsNR/. Contact - Becky Green 07734 4784671.
Tuesday 19th from 7:00pm - 9:00pm - Save Our Suffolk Swifts – A talk arranged by Suffolk Wildlife Trust and Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group at Memorial Hall, High Street, Newmarket, CB8 8JP. Parking is available locally. A fascinating and well-illustrated talk on the amazing lives of Swifts – now officially Endangered as a breeding bird in the UK. You’ll learn how the Save our Suffolk Swifts project is acting to reverse the alarming decline in numbers of these special birds in our towns and villages - and how you can help them in your own communities. Free event, no booking necessary but donations to SOS Swifts will be greatly appreciated. Contact Tracey Housley tracey.housley@suffolkwildlifetrust.org 01473 890089 or see http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/events/2018/06/19/save-our-suffolk-swifts?instance=0
Tuesday 19th from 7:30pm - 9:30pm - Gilling East Swift Evening - Wildlife artist, Jonathan Pomroy will give a presentation on Swifts using his own sketches and then lead a walk around the village looking at Swifts, Swallows and House Martins. Light refreshments and exhibition of Swift paintings, prints and cards. Gilling East Village Hall Pottergate, Gilling East, North Yorkshire YO62 4JJ. No booking needed. Free event . Contact Jonathan Pomroy - 01439 788014 or jonathan@pomroy.plus.com. See www.jonathanpomroy.co.uk
Tuesday 19th from 7:30pm - 9:30pm - An Evening with
the Gledhow Swifts - An opportunity to witness the activities of a Swift colony and learn about the lifestyle of this spectacular Summer visitor. Access to live cameras inside the nest boxes will be available. arranged by Leeds Swifts. Free event (although donations to Leeds Swifts welcome) but booking is essential via linda@startbirding.co.uk . See https://www.facebook.com/LeedsSwifts/?ref=bookmarks
Tuesday 19th from 7:30pm - Oxford Swift Walk – A walk around Oxford, led by local swift expert Chris Mason, to look for swifts and point out buildings with swift nestboxes. Meet at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PW. The tower of the Museum is of particular significance. This event is part of the Oxford Swift City project. Free event but booking essential.Website for
booking to be provided nearer event date. See http://ww2.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/events-dates-and-inspiration/events/ and https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/conservation/projects/oxford-swift-city/. Contact Emily Seccombe emily.seccombe@rspb.org.uk 07740 515 848
Tuesday 19th from 8:00pm - Finding Aldershot's Swifts – This will be a gentle stroll arranged by Blackwater Valley Swifts and North East Hants local RSPB Group around the sometimes hilly streets of Aldershot looking for the amazing Swifts, perhaps locating some breeding sites and will include a visit to a house where the owners will show you their active nests and an exciting display of their local birds. The evening will finish about 21.30 or just after. Free event (although donations to our Saving Our Amazing Swifts project will be welcome) and no booking necessary. Meeting at the bus stop in High Street outside Aldershot FC Ground, High Street, Aldershot, GU11 1TW. Survey forms will be available for recording breeding swifts. contact Colin Wilson colin.wilson@bvct.org.uk ,
07899066687. For more info about the group see www.northeasthantsrspb.org.uk and
http://www.bvct.org.uk/calendar/
07899066687. For more info about the group see www.northeasthantsrspb.org.uk and
http://www.bvct.org.uk/calendar/
Tuesday 19th from 8:30pm - Swift Gathering – An outdoor meeting The Square, Huntly, Aberdeenshire AB54 8BR . A talk about Swifts whilst watching them followed by a walk around known Swift sites in the town. Free event, no booking needed but as weather dependant might be best to contact Cally Smith - huntlyswiftgroup@gmail.com or phone 07411 808573 before setting out. See Facebook/huntlyswiftgroup
Tuesday 19th 8:00pm - dusk - Tring Swift Talk and Walk – Wild Tring have arranged a talk by Edward Mayer of Swift Conservation at Nora Grace Hall, Faversham Close, Tring HP23 5BA which will be followed by a walk to see swifts flying low around the town. Free event but donations welcome. No booking needed. Contact vicduxbury@hotmail.com for more information.
Wednesday 20th from 10:30am - 4:00pm - Essex Swifts Display - in entrance foyer of Chelmsford Museums, Oaklands Park, Moulsham Street, Chelmsford CM2 9AQ. Table Top display arranged by Essex Birdwatching Society – Essex Swifts with Swift Booklets and Swift Badges for sale. Also samples of Model 30 external box and Manthorpe integral Swift nest brick and a demonstration of a Swift call system. Free event - just call in and visit us. Contact Gerry Johnson gerry2johnson@aol.com or 07775 663166
Wednesday 20th from 6:30pm - 8:30pm. Lewisham Swifts Social Evening - A social event meeting in the garden of the Lord Northbrook pub 116 Burnt Ash Road, London, SE12 8PU to meet others, enjoy a talk by Edward Mayer from Swift Conservation and then a walk to a nearby swift colony to see the swifts and the amazing efforts from the local community in saving the colony’s nesting site. Booking essential via
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/swift-awareness-week-celebration-tickets-46100954195
Wednesday 20th from 6:30pm. Elsworth Swifts - Come to a talk at 35 Smith Street, Elsworth, Cambs., CB23 4HY by Dick Newell of Action for Swifts followed by enjoying Swifts in pleasant surroundings, watching Swifts on CCTV. Booklets and Swift boxes for sale. Light refreshments are available. Free event, no booking necessary. Contact sean@eastlife.co.uk or 01954267378
Wednesday 20th from 7pm - An Evening Walk with the Swifts of Hathersage – A short walk around the swift hotspots of Hathersage arranged by Hathersage Swift Group. No booking needed. Meet at Hathersage Swimming Pool, Odd Fellows Road, S32 1DU. For more information phone 01773 881188. Free event.
Wednesday 20th - 7:30pm - A Swifts Half hour - or so – Meeting in the Castle Hotel, Market Square, Bishops Castle, SY9 5BN. Look at local swift nest sites then a short walk to Castle Green to watch a colony of at least 9 nests. No booking needed. For more information contact 01588638851 or richard@decorative-antiques.co.uk . Free event but donations welcome.
Wednesday 20th from 7:30 - 9pm - Summer Swifts Walk - Architecture & Biodiversity in De Beauvoir - arranged by Hackney Swifts Group and Islington Swifts Group. Guided walk starting at De Beauvoir Square, London N1 4LD by an award-winning local architect in an historic area excellent for swifts, finishing at The Scolt Head pub which already has one swift box installed and will hopefully have an operational swifts call system in place by this summer. There are more than 20 swifts nesting boxes in this area and some of these will be seen en route.Booking essential - contact Mike Priaulx debeauvoirswifts@gmail.com. Free event but there is a suggested donation of £5 for a local charity. See www.islingtonswifts.wordpress.com and Twitter: @hackney_swifts and @islingt_swifts for more information about these groups.
Wednesday 20th from 8:00pm - A Swifts Walk! – join bolton and Bury Swift Group for a guided walk to visit a local Swift colony. Meet Moss Bank Car Park, Moss Lane, Bolton, BL1 6LY. Free event and no booking necessary but please text Louise on 07557796508 to let hr know you are coming along. For more information contact superswifts@outlook.com and see https://www.facebook.com/BoltonandBurySwifts/
Wednesday 20th at 8pm - Swifts and Drinks Party - arranged by Maidenhead, Marlow and Cookham Swift Group. The Maidenhead, Marlow and Cookham Swift Group is holding its annual drinks party at 55 Norfolk Road, Maidenhead, SL6 7AU to celebrate our lovely Swifts. Please join us in the garden at 8pm for Pimms, wine, beer and chat. We have 15 nest boxes on our house and can usually watch them arrive and leave from the lawn, glasses in hand! If it is raining, the event will take place the following Wednesday at the same time. Booking essential for non-members. Free event but an optional donation of £2 suggested. Contact Jan Stannard, jstannard@siteset.co.uk, 07710 171704. See www.helpourswifts.org.uk
Thursday 21st at 7pm - A Swift Half in Newbury arranged by Swifts in West Berkshire. Meet at 7pm at St Nic’s Church Hall, West Mills, Newbury, RG14 5HG. An illustrated talk on Swifts, and a walk around Newbury town centre to look for Swifts and their nest sites, followed by a swift half at The Catherine Wheel pub, 35, Cheap Street, Newbury, RG14 5DB. Free event - no booking needed. Contact Ailsa_claybourn@yahoo.co.uk or 07447085246
Thursday 21st at 7:00pm - Priory Country Park Evening Walk - Walk around the Priory Country
Park, Barkers Lane, Bedford, MK41 9SH to see the wildlife and birds, particularly the overflying colony of swifts. Arranged by RSPB Bedford Local Group. Free event - no booking necessary. See https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/bedford/events/
Thursday 21st at 7:00pm - Swifts in Milton - All welcome to gather at the Lion & Lamb pub, High Street, Milton, CB24 6DF from 6.30pm. Short talk by Dick Newell from Action for Swifts at 7pm, with display of swift nestboxes etc. Live video from swift nests. Observe the swifts at Clarke Brunt's colony across the road, where the first pair of swifts bred in 2012, and there are now around 8 pairs. Free event, no booking necessary. Contact clarke.brunt@viridis.net. See http://www.viridis.net/animals/swifts.html
Thursday 21st 7:00pm for 7:30pm start - Summer Swifts Walk arranged by Hackney Swifts. Meet at The Star by Hackney Downs pub, 35 Queensdown Road, London, E5 8NN for a walk through areas good for swifts, finishing at the Royal Sovereign pub by Stoke Newington Common. The starting pub has five swifts boxes with a swifts call system installed last year. Booking essential - contact Mike Priaulx, debeauvoirswifts@gmail.com. £5 voluntary donation to The Garden Classroom. See the group on Twitter @hackney_swifts
Thursday 21st from 7:00pm - 9:00pm - Aberdeen Swift Walk - Join RSPB Scotland and NESBREC on the longest day for a riverside walk looking for swifts. Meet at the Duthie Park car park 70 Polmuir Road, Aberdeen, AB11 7TH. Learn more about the conservation of these amazing migratory birds and how to record your own sightings. Free event but BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL so please contact nesbrec@aberdeenshire.gov.uk to secure your place.
Thursday 21st from 7:30pm - 9:30pm - Swift Talk and Walk Helmsley - Talk and presentation followed by walk around Helmsley looking at Swifts, Swallows and House Martins. Light refreshments. All Saints Church, Helmsley 17 Church Street, Helmsley YO62 5AD. No booking needed. Free event arranged by Helmsley Swifts. Contact Jonathan Pomroy - 01439 788014 or jonathan@pomroy.plus.com
Thursday 21st at 7:30pm - Kinoulton Swift Awareness Evenings - at St. Luke’s Church, Main Street, Kinoulton, Nottinghamshire, NG12 3EW. Kinoulton Swift Group will be holding an informal gathering to watch swifts both at the nest (via TV in church) and flying/screaming over the churchyard. Free event and no booking necessary but donations to St Luke's welcome. For more information contact Carol Collins carolwcollins61@gmail.com or 01949 81798.
See https://sites.google.com/a/kinoulton.com/kinoulton-village/home/kinoulton-churchyard-conservation-pro
Thursday 21st at 7:30pm - Banbury Swift Stroll – A gentle walk around Banbury town centre to watch and learn about Swifts near some of their nest places. Arranged by Cherwell Swift Group. Part of Banbury Swift Watch 2018. Free event but Booking essential - contact Chris Mason - mason@cando.eclipse.co.uk
Thursday 21st at 7:30pm - Swift Walk – Guided walk around Caistor arranged by Caistor Area Swift Group to view areas of swift activity in previous years. Meet at the Lion Statue in Caistor, Lincolnshire Market Place. Free event, no booking needed. For more information contact Ann Cross anncross222@btinternet.com or 07464175111
Thursday 21st at 7:30pm - Swifts in West Cumbria – Informal event arranged by West Cumbria Swift Group at Gosforth Methodist Church Hall, Main Street, Gosforth, Seascale, Cumbria, CA20 1AS to include slideshow of local projects, information leaflets (all you want to know about Swifts) and examples of cameras, nest boxes and call systems, videos about Swifts, refreshments and short walk to see the local Swifts in flight. Free event but donations welcome. Contact Lesley Anne - mondoe@live.co.uk or 07826746174
Thursday 21st from 8pm - Beckenham Swift Walk - arranged by Beckenham Swift Group. A free guided evening stroll through a hotspot for swifts. It's a chance to marvel at the spectacular action they bring to our summer skies, as well as learn about their extraordinary lives and our work to save them in the London Borough of Bromley. Meet at the entrance to Crease Park in Wellhouse Road, Beckenham, BR3 3JR. The walk is free but places are limited so booking is essential. Please email bromleyrspb@gmail.com or call 07392 790719. This walk is also happening on Monday 18th- same time, same meeting place.See www.rspb.org.uk/groups/bromley and www.facebook.com/rspbbromley Note that this summer we are running a Bromley Swift Survey as a first step towards helping swifts in the London Borough of Bromley. If you would like to take part please email: bromleyrspbrecords@gmail.com.
Thursday 21st June from 8pm - Ellesmere Port Swift Walk - Join Chester RSPB Group for a guided walk around Great Sutton to see swifts in breeding display. Free event but booking essentail. Contact Roger Nutter, Chester RSPB Group - chester1rspb@btinternet.com or 01829 782237 to book your place and for details of meeting point, etc. See www.rspb.org.uk/groups/chester or www.facebook.com/RSPBChester orTwitter: @RSPBChester
Thursday 21st at 8:30pm - Swift Walk – an amble around Ludlow town centre watching and learning about the swifts who use our buildings to breed each summer. Meet at Ludlow war memorial – at entrance to Castle Square car park SO 51025 74631. Note – if it is a wet evening this event will be rescheduled to a subsequent Thursday.Cost - £2 members for Shropshire Wildlife Trust members /£3 non-members. For more information contact Peta Sams – ludlowswiftgroup@gmail.com
Friday 22nd from 12 to 4pm - Reigate's Mysterious Swifts – Visit SPARE's - Swift Protection Association Reigate - stall at the front of Morrisons Supermarket 22-32 Bell Street Reigate RH2 7BA and find out about Swifts in Reigate and our conservation projects. For more information see https://www.facebook.com/SwiftProtectionAssociationReigate/ or contact reigateswifts@gmail.com
Friday 22nd from 10:30am - 4:00pm - Essex Swifts Display - in entrance foyer of Chelmer Shopping Centre, Exchange Way, Chelmsford CM1 1XB. Table Top display arranged by Essex Birdwatching Society – Essex Swifts with Swift Booklets and Swift Badges for sale. Also samples of Model 30 external box and Manthorpe integral Swift nest brick and a demonstration of a Swift call system. Free event - just call in and visit us. Contact Gerry Johnson gerry2johnson@aol.com or 07775 663166
Friday 22nd from 6:30pm - 9:00pm - Swifts and Summer Birds Evening arranged by Islington Swift Group and BeeUrban at The Hive, Kennington Park, St Agnes Place, London SE11 4BE. To mark Swifts Awareness Week, we will be getting birds I.D. tips at The Hive and every 30 minutes there will be a walk in Kennington Park with a bird song expert to look for swifts overhead and identify the other birds singing from the trees of the park. Booking essential - contact Mike Priaulx, debeauvoirswifts@gmail.com. Voluntary donation to BeeUrban recommended. See the group on Twitter @islingt_swifts and also www.beeurban.org.uk
Friday 22nd from 6:45pm - dusk - An Evening of Swift Watching in Chesterfield – An evening walk arranged by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. Geoff Thorndike and Jacky Hall invite you to watch the swifts that nest under their tiles in Newbold and learn about their amazing lives. 11 pairs nest with up to 40 swifts flying overhead making their spectacular ‘screaming party’ displays. Coffee and tea provided. Nest boxes for sale. Please book via enquries@derbyshirewt.co.uk or 01773 881188 (office hours). Free event.
Friday 22nd meet 7:00pm - Cambridge Swift Tower Walk – Join Action for Swifts for a walk and survey of Swifts nesting around North Terrace and the surrounding area, ending with a watch of the Swift Tower. Meet at the corner of North Terrace, CB5 8DH. Free event and no booking needed. Contact Helen Hodgson - 1.helen.hodgson@gmail.com or 07860155766
Friday 22nd from 7:00pm - 9:00pm - Save Our Suffolk Swifts – A talk arranged by Suffolk Wildlife Trust and Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group at The Key 15 St Margaret’s Plain Ipswich IP4 2BB. Some parking is available at the venue, plus more locally. Note that access to the event is at the rear of the building. A fascinating and well-illustrated talk on the amazing lives of Swifts – now officially Endangered as a breeding bird in the UK. You’ll learn how the Save our Suffolk Swifts project is acting to reverse the alarming decline in numbers of these special birds in our towns and villages - and how you can help them in your own communities. Free event, no booking necessary but donations to SOS Swifts will be greatly appreciated. Contact Tracey Housley tracey.housley@suffolkwildlifetrust.org 01473 890089 or see http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/events/2018/06/22/save-our-suffolk-swifts?instance=0
Friday 22nd from 8:00 - 9:00pm - Swift Surveying – How to do it and how to report your findings. Learn why it’s important to survey Swifts for population changes and how to find nest sites in order to preserve these nesting spaces. Advice on reporting to various online databases will be given too. Be part of the growing number of people who are making a positive impact for Swifts. Meet outside Sarum College, 19 The Close, Salisbury, Wilts SP1 2EE. Free event but donations accepted. Contact Daniel Kronenberg - contact dankron@hotmail.co.uk or 07791 849372. for more information.
Friday 22nd from 8:30pm - Super Swifts of Blair Atholl - Join Perthshire Wildlife Trust outside the Atholl Estates Ranger Centre, Blair Atholl at PH18 5SP. for a walk that is about a mile long on pavements – wear sturdy shoes or boots, bring warm clothes and waterproofs, and binoculars if you have them. Prizes for everyone who spots a swift! We’ll also have some bat detectors to pick up the mysterious sounds of these midge-munching mammals! This walk is suitable for everyone,including families, and is a chance to learn all about the amazing ecology of this enigmatic bird and what the Pitlochry Swift Conservation Project is doing to help conserve our swifts. No booking needed. Free event. See https://www.facebook.com/PerthshireWildlife/. For more information contact Daniele Muir - perthshirewildlife@gmail.com.
Saturday 23rd from 9:30am - 4pm - Mashamshire Swifts Market Stall - Market Stall at Masham Market Place, Masham, North Yorks HG4 4EF displaying information about swifts, and selling T shirts, badges, books, etc. Organised by Mashamshire Swift Conservation Community Project. Contact Carla McCowen: mashamswifts@gmail.com 07715114641 for more information.
Saturday 23rd from 9:30am - 4pm - 3rd Leeds Birdfair - at Rodley Nature Reserve, Moss Bridge Road, Rodley, Leeds LS13 1HP. Come and visit the Leeds Swifts stall at the third Leeds Birdfair at the BBC Countryfile Nature Reserve of the Year. Lots of stalls and bird watching hides to visit. See the Rodley Swift tower at this gem of a nature reserve. Free event. See http://www.startbirding.co.uk/leeds-birdfair/. Contact linda@startbirding.co.uk
Saturday 23rd from 10:00am - 5pm - Shropshire Swifts Stall at Cuan Wildlife Open Day, The Signals, Stretton Road, Much Wenlock, TF13 6DD displaying information about swifts. Contact shropshireswifts@gmail.com. See http://www.cuanwildliferescue.org.uk/cuan-wildlife-open-day-companion-dog-show/
Saturday 23rd from 9:30am - 2:30pm - Sedbergh Artisan Market - come along for a chat at Sedbergh Community Swifts stall, Main St Sedbergh LA10 5AS. Learn more about swifts, with displays, examples of swift boxes and attraction calls and advice on creating nest sites. Contact ta.hoare@btinternet.com
Saturday 23rd - Rhayader's Swifts - We will have a stall outside The Arches in West Street, Rhayader (opposite the Spar) from 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. with local experts present and leaflets about swifts to give away. Please call by the stall. The Arches is the main nesting place of the town’s swifts. For further details please contact Rhayader by Nature rhayaderbynature@hotmail.co.uk
Saturday 23rd from 10am - 4pm - St. Matthews Swift and Nature Watch - at St Matthew Church, Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire PE12 9SD. There will be a talk at 2pm regarding our swifts and our swift conservation project. Refreshments available, stalls, make a swift and colouring competition for children. Free entry to all, everyone welcome. Organised by St.Matthews Nature watch group. Project leader Lesley Robinson Contact lesleyjudithrobinson@gmail.com
Saturday 23rd from 10am to 1pm - Swift/Garden Open Day at Swift House, 9 Lyndale Avenue, Bristol, BS9 1BS. Visit this wildlife friendly garden with swift colony. Opportunity to see and learn about swifts via live cameras from nest boxes all around the house. Also lots of information about swifts with details of what can be done to help. Swift cards, DVD’s and plants for sale. All proceeds to Gillian Westray - a local swift rehabilitator.
Cost - £3 Adults. Children Free.
For more information contact Mark & Jane Glanville bristolswifts@gmail.com and see www.bristolswifts.co.uk
Saturday 23rd from 2pm to 4pm - Wenhaston Open Gardens - arranged by Wenhaston SOS Action Group. The gardens at two houses in the village of Wenhaston will be open both to view the garden and look at the swift box installations. Both houses installed swift boxes with calling systems this year. The two houses are: Erica and White Lodge both on The Street, Wenhaston IP19 9DP. Free event, no booking necessary. Contact Ann Follows 01502 478324 annfollows@googlemail.com
Saturday 23rd from 6:30pm - Swifts in Landbeach - A short talk by Dick Newell in the Baptist Chapel, High Street, Landbeach CB25 9FT at 6:30pm. Arrive from 5:30pm onwards to have a chance to observe the Swift boxes on the chapel and on the house next door. The talk will be followed by a short walk to All Saints church to observe the Swifts breeding in the belfry followed by a 300m walk to Old Beach Farm where 15 pairs of Swifts scream around the rooftops. Light refreshments available. Free event but booking advised - actionforswifts@gmail.com or 01223860400
Saturday 23rd from 7pm - Aldeburgh's Swift Walk - join Aldeburgh's Amazing Swifts from 7pm on a town walk to view the town’s Swifts, some nest sites and many of the nest boxes which have been put up over the past year, finishing up at the White Hart pub (home for one of our Swift families). Meet at The Moot Hall, Market Cross Place, Aldeburgh IP15 5DS. Free event, no booking necessary. See aldeburghsamazingswifts.co.uk . Contact Alan Collett alan.collett6@btinternet.com 07762 300050
Friday 22nd meet 7:00pm - Cambridge Swift Tower Walk – Join Action for Swifts for a walk and survey of Swifts nesting around North Terrace and the surrounding area, ending with a watch of the Swift Tower. Meet at the corner of North Terrace, CB5 8DH. Free event and no booking needed. Contact Helen Hodgson - 1.helen.hodgson@gmail.com or 07860155766
Friday 22nd from 7:00pm - 9:00pm - Save Our Suffolk Swifts – A talk arranged by Suffolk Wildlife Trust and Suffolk Ornithologists’ Group at The Key 15 St Margaret’s Plain Ipswich IP4 2BB. Some parking is available at the venue, plus more locally. Note that access to the event is at the rear of the building. A fascinating and well-illustrated talk on the amazing lives of Swifts – now officially Endangered as a breeding bird in the UK. You’ll learn how the Save our Suffolk Swifts project is acting to reverse the alarming decline in numbers of these special birds in our towns and villages - and how you can help them in your own communities. Free event, no booking necessary but donations to SOS Swifts will be greatly appreciated. Contact Tracey Housley tracey.housley@suffolkwildlifetrust.org 01473 890089 or see http://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/events/2018/06/22/save-our-suffolk-swifts?instance=0
Friday 22nd from 8:00pm - Shilton Swift Walk - Meet by the village pond at Shilton Village, Oxfordshire, OX18 4AG. Also great example of successful refurbishment and reroofing to include swifts, with nesting colony returning...at St Joseph's Catholic Church, Arkell Way, Carterton Oxon. Free event, no booking necessary. Contact veronicabarry3@gmail.com
Friday 22nd from 8:00 - 9:00pm - Swift Surveying – How to do it and how to report your findings. Learn why it’s important to survey Swifts for population changes and how to find nest sites in order to preserve these nesting spaces. Advice on reporting to various online databases will be given too. Be part of the growing number of people who are making a positive impact for Swifts. Meet outside Sarum College, 19 The Close, Salisbury, Wilts SP1 2EE. Free event but donations accepted. Contact Daniel Kronenberg - contact dankron@hotmail.co.uk or 07791 849372. for more information.
Friday 22nd from 8:30pm - Super Swifts of Blair Atholl - Join Perthshire Wildlife Trust outside the Atholl Estates Ranger Centre, Blair Atholl at PH18 5SP. for a walk that is about a mile long on pavements – wear sturdy shoes or boots, bring warm clothes and waterproofs, and binoculars if you have them. Prizes for everyone who spots a swift! We’ll also have some bat detectors to pick up the mysterious sounds of these midge-munching mammals! This walk is suitable for everyone,including families, and is a chance to learn all about the amazing ecology of this enigmatic bird and what the Pitlochry Swift Conservation Project is doing to help conserve our swifts. No booking needed. Free event. See https://www.facebook.com/PerthshireWildlife/. For more information contact Daniele Muir - perthshirewildlife@gmail.com.
Saturday 23rd from 9:30am - 4pm - Mashamshire Swifts Market Stall - Market Stall at Masham Market Place, Masham, North Yorks HG4 4EF displaying information about swifts, and selling T shirts, badges, books, etc. Organised by Mashamshire Swift Conservation Community Project. Contact Carla McCowen: mashamswifts@gmail.com 07715114641 for more information.
Saturday 23rd from 9:30am - 4pm - 3rd Leeds Birdfair - at Rodley Nature Reserve, Moss Bridge Road, Rodley, Leeds LS13 1HP. Come and visit the Leeds Swifts stall at the third Leeds Birdfair at the BBC Countryfile Nature Reserve of the Year. Lots of stalls and bird watching hides to visit. See the Rodley Swift tower at this gem of a nature reserve. Free event. See http://www.startbirding.co.uk/leeds-birdfair/. Contact linda@startbirding.co.uk
Saturday 23rd from 10:00am - 5pm - Shropshire Swifts Stall at Cuan Wildlife Open Day, The Signals, Stretton Road, Much Wenlock, TF13 6DD displaying information about swifts. Contact shropshireswifts@gmail.com. See http://www.cuanwildliferescue.org.uk/cuan-wildlife-open-day-companion-dog-show/
Saturday 23rd from 9:30am - 2:30pm - Sedbergh Artisan Market - come along for a chat at Sedbergh Community Swifts stall, Main St Sedbergh LA10 5AS. Learn more about swifts, with displays, examples of swift boxes and attraction calls and advice on creating nest sites. Contact ta.hoare@btinternet.com
Saturday 23rd - Rhayader's Swifts - We will have a stall outside The Arches in West Street, Rhayader (opposite the Spar) from 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. with local experts present and leaflets about swifts to give away. Please call by the stall. The Arches is the main nesting place of the town’s swifts. For further details please contact Rhayader by Nature rhayaderbynature@hotmail.co.uk
Saturday 23rd from 10am to 4pm - Aldeburgh's Amazing Swifts - Visit our ‘Swift Awareness’ stall on the sea front on Crag Path near the yacht pond Aldeburgh, Suffolk IP15 5DS and find out about Aldeburgh’s Amazing Swifts and our conservation project. We shall have Swift boxes, information leaflets, identification boards, and a story book for children. In the evening there will be a swift walk - see below for information. Free event, no booking necessary. See aldeburghsamazingswifts.co.uk . Contact Alan Collett alan.collett6@btinternet.com 07762 300050
Saturday 23rd from 10am - 4pm - St. Matthews Swift and Nature Watch - at St Matthew Church, Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire PE12 9SD. There will be a talk at 2pm regarding our swifts and our swift conservation project. Refreshments available, stalls, make a swift and colouring competition for children. Free entry to all, everyone welcome. Organised by St.Matthews Nature watch group. Project leader Lesley Robinson Contact lesleyjudithrobinson@gmail.com
Saturday 23rd from 10am to 1pm - Swift/Garden Open Day at Swift House, 9 Lyndale Avenue, Bristol, BS9 1BS. Visit this wildlife friendly garden with swift colony. Opportunity to see and learn about swifts via live cameras from nest boxes all around the house. Also lots of information about swifts with details of what can be done to help. Swift cards, DVD’s and plants for sale. All proceeds to Gillian Westray - a local swift rehabilitator.
Cost - £3 Adults. Children Free.
For more information contact Mark & Jane Glanville bristolswifts@gmail.com and see www.bristolswifts.co.uk
Saturday 23rd from 2pm to 4pm - Wenhaston Open Gardens - arranged by Wenhaston SOS Action Group. The gardens at two houses in the village of Wenhaston will be open both to view the garden and look at the swift box installations. Both houses installed swift boxes with calling systems this year. The two houses are: Erica and White Lodge both on The Street, Wenhaston IP19 9DP. Free event, no booking necessary. Contact Ann Follows 01502 478324 annfollows@googlemail.com
Saturday 23rd from 6:30pm - Swifts in Landbeach - A short talk by Dick Newell in the Baptist Chapel, High Street, Landbeach CB25 9FT at 6:30pm. Arrive from 5:30pm onwards to have a chance to observe the Swift boxes on the chapel and on the house next door. The talk will be followed by a short walk to All Saints church to observe the Swifts breeding in the belfry followed by a 300m walk to Old Beach Farm where 15 pairs of Swifts scream around the rooftops. Light refreshments available. Free event but booking advised - actionforswifts@gmail.com or 01223860400
Saturday 23rd from 7pm - Aldeburgh's Swift Walk - join Aldeburgh's Amazing Swifts from 7pm on a town walk to view the town’s Swifts, some nest sites and many of the nest boxes which have been put up over the past year, finishing up at the White Hart pub (home for one of our Swift families). Meet at The Moot Hall, Market Cross Place, Aldeburgh IP15 5DS. Free event, no booking necessary. See aldeburghsamazingswifts.co.uk . Contact Alan Collett alan.collett6@btinternet.com 07762 300050
Saturday 23rd from 7:30pm - Swift evening talk and walk - a short talk about Swifts and local conservation efforts followed by an evening stroll looking out for traditional nest sites and new ones. Arranged by Cherwell Swifts - Kidlington group. Meet Refectory, St Mary’s Church, Church Street, Kidlington, OX5 2BB. Contact Chris Mason (Cherwell Swifts)mason@cando.eclipse.co.uk or Liz Moore (Kidlington) lizmoore3@btinternet.com 01865 841727. Free event.
Saturday 23rd from 7:30pm - 9:00pm - Rhayader Swift Walk - evening walk from the town clock to St Brides Church to enjoy the racing evening flights of our swifts. Walk starts at the War Memorial Clock Tower in the centre of Rhayader. Free event - no booking necessary. For further details please contact Rhayader by Nature - rhayaderbynature@hotmail.co.uk
Saturday 23rd from 7:30pm - 8:30pm - Masham Swift Walk - arranged by Masham Swifts. Meet at the Market Cross, Masham, HG4 4DY. We will be looking out for swifts, their nesting sites, new nest boxes and the sculptures on the Masham Swift Trail, which was put up 4 years ago. No prior booking required, and we are not charging, but asking for donations. Contact mashamswifts@gmail.com and see https://www.facebook.com/mashamswifts/
Saturday 23rd from 8pm - Swift Watching Evening at Lowgill, Cumbria LA8 OBN at 8pm. Come along to watch swifts at our colony of 20 pairs of swifts, marvelling as they dart into nest sites quick as a flash, and see them flying over the Lune Valley and Howgill fells. Light refreshments available. Free event but donations to the Sedbergh Community Swift group are welcome. Please contact us beforehand - as this is inevitably weather dependent: ta.hoare@btinternet.com or 01539 824043.
Saturday 23rd from 8:30pm - 10pm - A Swift Walk around Clun – Enjoy a stroll round Clun with swift expert Peta Sams to see the birds, spot where they are nesting, and check you can distinguish them from swallows and martins? Arranged by Shropshire Wildlife Trust Clun and Bishop's Castle Branch. To book your place, call 01588 640921 or email meminson@btinternet.com. Do remember to leave a phone number as we will cancel on the night if weather is dire, then meet Mandy Ford outside Caractacus shop in the Square in Clun at 8.30pm. Free walk, donations welcome. Remember your insect repellent if you are one of their favourites!
Sat 16th - Sat 23rd - Swift Tower viewing at Whitlingham Country Park - Visit our new swift tower, providing 20 nest chambers for swifts. Learn about and take away information about the lives of these amazing birds and the importance of conserving these birds. Whitlingham Country Park, Whitlingham Lane, Trowse, Norwich, NR14 8TR and broad provides great feeding grounds for Swifts, Swallows and House Martins. Test your identification skills in identifying these aerial acrobats. The Swift Tower can be viewed all day. The Visitor Centre with information is open 10:00am - 5:00pm. Car parking charges apply
May 2018
Weds 9th from 10:30-11:30am - All About Swifts - an illustrated talk by by Roger Nutter of Chester RSPB Group to Hoole 55 and Over Club. The talk is at Hoole Community Centre, Westminster Road, Hoole, Chester CH2 3AP - no booking necessary. £3.50 entry.
April 2018
Weds 9th from 10:30-11:30am - All About Swifts - an illustrated talk by by Roger Nutter of Chester RSPB Group to Hoole 55 and Over Club. The talk is at Hoole Community Centre, Westminster Road, Hoole, Chester CH2 3AP - no booking necessary. £3.50 entry.
April 2018
Tues April 10th at 7.30pm - Lancashire Ornithologists Club. Tanya and Edmund Hoare will give a talk Our Not-so-Common Swifts - what we can do at St Anne's Parish Hall, Wheatley Lane, Fence, Lancashire BB12 9AP
Wed April 11th at 2.30pm - Lyndhurst U3A. Andy Broadhurst of Hampshire Swifts will give a talk “Conserving Hampshire’s Swifts” at Lyndhurst Community Centre, Lyndhurst, Hampshire SO43 7NY
Wed 18th at 7.30pm - North Staffs RSPB. Tanya & Edmund Hoare will give a talk, Our Not-so-Common Swifts – what we can do at North Staffordshire Conference Centre, Hartshill Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 7NY
Fri 20th at 7:30pm - A talk for Derbyshire Wildlife Trust by Nick Brown in two halves: the second of which is about Swifts in Derbyshire at St Margaret’s Church Hall, Farm Road, Duffield DE56 4FS
Mon April 23rd at 7.30pm - Kirby Lonsdale Cumbria Wildlife Trust. Tanya and Edmund Hoare will give a talk The Extraordinary Life of Swifts at Lunesdale Hall, Bective Road, Kirby Lonsdale, Cumbria LA6 2BG
Wed 25th - RSPB workshop: New builds and birds. This interactive course for architects, ecologists and planners will review policy obligations and introduce delegates to the species most likely to nest in or on new buildings. It will highlight the need to focus on the species in most need of conservation action, and how best to provide for them in new developments. There will be emphasis on house sparrows and swifts and we’ll review the options available for starlings and house martins.
Location: National Self Build and Renovation Centre, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 8UB
More information. Contact conservation-advice@rspb.org.uk
March 2018Wed April 11th at 2.30pm - Lyndhurst U3A. Andy Broadhurst of Hampshire Swifts will give a talk “Conserving Hampshire’s Swifts” at Lyndhurst Community Centre, Lyndhurst, Hampshire SO43 7NY
Wed 18th at 7.30pm - North Staffs RSPB. Tanya & Edmund Hoare will give a talk, Our Not-so-Common Swifts – what we can do at North Staffordshire Conference Centre, Hartshill Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 7NY
Fri 20th at 7:30pm - A talk for Derbyshire Wildlife Trust by Nick Brown in two halves: the second of which is about Swifts in Derbyshire at St Margaret’s Church Hall, Farm Road, Duffield DE56 4FS
Mon April 23rd at 7.30pm - Kirby Lonsdale Cumbria Wildlife Trust. Tanya and Edmund Hoare will give a talk The Extraordinary Life of Swifts at Lunesdale Hall, Bective Road, Kirby Lonsdale, Cumbria LA6 2BG
Wed 25th - RSPB workshop: New builds and birds. This interactive course for architects, ecologists and planners will review policy obligations and introduce delegates to the species most likely to nest in or on new buildings. It will highlight the need to focus on the species in most need of conservation action, and how best to provide for them in new developments. There will be emphasis on house sparrows and swifts and we’ll review the options available for starlings and house martins.
Location: National Self Build and Renovation Centre, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 8UB
More information. Contact conservation-advice@rspb.org.uk
Thurs 8th at 7:30pm - Teme Valley Wildlife Group. Peta Sams from Shropshire Swift Group will give a talk All about Swifts at Rochford Village Hall, Upper Rochford, Tenbury Wells, WR15 8SP
Sun 11th - Thurs 15th - 5th International Swift Conference, Tel Aviv. Following the 4 successful Swift Conferences in Berlin (2010 and 2012), Cambridge (2014), Szczecin (2016), the 5th conference will be held in Tel Aviv, Israel, 11th-15th March 2018
Optional extension tours, including to Eilat are offered up to 20th March.
Full details of the conference and tours and how to register can be found here:
http://telavivswiftconf.canalblog.com/
Fri 16th at 7:30pm - Ledbury Naturalists . Peta Sams from Shropshire Swift Group will give a talk Our not so Common Swifts at Burgage Hall, Church Lane, Ledbury HR8 1DW
February 2018
Edward Mayer, Swift Conservation, February talks
Thurs 8th Blackwater Valley CountrysideTrust
Thurs 22nd Lewisham Borough Swift Group
Thurs 15th at 7.30pm - Bedford Local RSPB Group. Dick Newell will give a talk, All about Swifts at the ARA club in Manton Lane Bedford MK41 7PF
Fri 16th at 7.30pm - Richmondshire RSPB, Leyburn. Tanya & Edmund Hoare will give a talk, Our Not-so-Common Swifts – what we can do at Leyburn Methodist Church Hall, 12 Railway St, Leyburn, DL8 5BB
Thurs 22nd at 7.30pm - Burton Hall, Cumbria. Tanya & Edmund Hoare will give a talk, Celebrating our Swifts at Burton Memorial Hall, Main St, Burton-in-Kendal, Cumbria LA6 1NA
Thurs 22nd at 7.30pm - North East Norfolk Birdclub. Dick Newell will give a talk All about Swifts at Aylmerton Village Hall, Church Road, Aylmerton, Norfolk NR11 8PX.
Venue changed to Gresham Village Hall postcode NR11 8RT
January 2018
Edward Mayer, Swift Conservation, January talks
Tue 9th South Wilts RSPB Group
Thurs 11th Pinner RSPB Group
Mon 15th Guildford Environmental Forum
Thurs 18th Maidstone RSPB Group
Tues 9th at 7.30 pm -
Tue 9th South Wilts RSPB Group
Thurs 11th Pinner RSPB Group
Mon 15th Guildford Environmental Forum
Thurs 18th Maidstone RSPB Group
Tues 9th at 7.30 pm -
Edward, an amazing Swift Champion, will inspire us with the fight to keep these iconic birds in our towns and cities. Do you know how many "Swift Cities" there now are in the UK?
There will also be RSPB and Local Group membership, RSPB Sales goods, bird food, pin badges and Tombola with refreshments available.Local RSPB Group Members £5/Others £6/Children under 16 free
Wed 10th at 7.30pm - Carlisle Natural History Society. Tanya & Edmund Hoare will give a talk, Our Disappearing Swifts – what we can do at Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery, Castle St, Carlisle, CA3 8TP
Mon 15th at 7.30pm - Barrow Field Naturalists, Cumbria. Tanya & Edmund Hoare will give a talk, Our Disappearing Swifts at Trinity Church Centre, Warwick St, Barrow-in-Furness LA15 5AX.
17th November - 30th December. Daily 10:00 - 17:00 EXCEPT Sundays - Gallery, Museum of Oxford, Oxford Town Hall, St Aldate's, Oxford OX1 1BX. Free entry.
An exhibition showing the imaginative designs for a new Swift Tower! The competition was run by The Oxford Swift City project, an exciting two-year project, made possible by National Lottery players and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).The project hopes to improve the outlook for swifts in Oxford by raising local awareness of the many ways we can help these vulnerable birds. The winners of each category – under 12s, 13-18, adult (professional) and adult (non-professional) – will also have their designs exhibited.
Thurs 2nd at 7.30pm - Mellor Club, Cheshire. Tanya & Edmund Hoare will give a talk, Our Swifts – what we can do at Mellor Parish Centre, Church Rd, Mellor, Stockport, Cheshire SK65LX
Wed 8th at 7.30pm - North Cumbria RSPB, Carlisle. Tanya & Edmund Hoare will give a talk, Our Not-so-Common Swifts – what we can do at Tithe Barn, West Walls, Carlisle CA3 8UF
Fri 10th at 7.30pm - Masham, North Yorkshire. Tanya & Edmund Hoare will give a talk, Saving our Swifts at Masham Town Hall, Market Place, Masham, Ripon HG4 4DY
Wed 22nd at 7.30pm - Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Kirby Lonsdale, Cumbria. Tanya & Edmund Hoare will give a talk Community Swift Projects at Lunesdale Hall, Bective Rd, Kirby Lonsdale, LA6 2BG
Thurs 23rd at 2.30pm - Bateman Club, Kendal, Cumbria. Tanya & Edmund Hoare will give a talk All about Swifts at Ings Parish Hall, Ings, Church Lane, Nr Kendal, Cumbria LA8 9PY
Wed 8th at 7.30pm - North Cumbria RSPB, Carlisle. Tanya & Edmund Hoare will give a talk, Our Not-so-Common Swifts – what we can do at Tithe Barn, West Walls, Carlisle CA3 8UF
Fri 10th at 7.30pm - Masham, North Yorkshire. Tanya & Edmund Hoare will give a talk, Saving our Swifts at Masham Town Hall, Market Place, Masham, Ripon HG4 4DY
Wed 22nd at 7.30pm - Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Kirby Lonsdale, Cumbria. Tanya & Edmund Hoare will give a talk Community Swift Projects at Lunesdale Hall, Bective Rd, Kirby Lonsdale, LA6 2BG
Thurs 23rd at 2.30pm - Bateman Club, Kendal, Cumbria. Tanya & Edmund Hoare will give a talk All about Swifts at Ings Parish Hall, Ings, Church Lane, Nr Kendal, Cumbria LA8 9PY
October 2017
Fri 13th Oct at 7.30pm - Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. Tanya & Edmund Hoare will give a talk, Our Disappearing Swifts – what we can do at Caistor Arts and Heritage Centre, Plough Hill, Caistor, LN7 6LZ
Fri 20th at 7:45pm - Wildlife Trust, Ely Local Group. Dick Newell will give a talk, All about Swifts at Ely Museum, Vernon Cross Room, CB7 4LS.
Fri 30th at 7:30pm - Aylsham & District Wildlife Society, Norfolk. Dick Newell will give a talk, All about Swifts, at Friendship Hall, Cawston Road, Aylsham, NR11 6DS
July 2017Fri 20th at 7:45pm - Wildlife Trust, Ely Local Group. Dick Newell will give a talk, All about Swifts at Ely Museum, Vernon Cross Room, CB7 4LS.
Fri 30th at 7:30pm - Aylsham & District Wildlife Society, Norfolk. Dick Newell will give a talk, All about Swifts, at Friendship Hall, Cawston Road, Aylsham, NR11 6DS
Mon 10th onwards – Fulbourn Swift Watch Week including:
Tue 11th at 7.30 pm – talk by Edward Mayer at The Swifts Meeting Rooms, Haggis Gap, Fulbourn CB21 5HD entitled ‘A Green and Pleasant Land’. Edward will consider the conservation of Swifts in the wider context of planning for more bio-diverse environments in our towns and cities. The talk will be followed by guided walks to watch Swifts. Further info: fulbournforum@gmail.com
Sat 15th 1 to 5 pm, Fulbourn Swift Group at St Vigor’s Church, Manor Walk, Fulbourn CB21 5BN. Information display and hopefully live viewing in the Nave of activity in the Tower nest boxes. Further info: fulbournforum@gmail.com
Tue 25th at 7:45pm - Fylde Bird Club. Tanya & Edmund Hoare will give a talk on 'Our Not-so-Common Swifts'. The River Wyre, Breck Rd, Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancs. FY6 7JZ.
June 2017
Wed 7th: - Banstead U3A. Edward Mayer will give a talk on Swift Conservation.
Sat 17th 1 to 5 pm, Fulbourn Swift Group in conjunction with Fulbourn Open Gardens – St Vigor’s Church, Manor Walk, Fulbourn CB21 5BN. Information display and hopefully live viewing in the Nave of activity in the Tower nest boxes. Further info: fulbournforum@gmail.com
Milton Village Hall, 182 Milton Road, Southsea, Hants, PO4 8PR
Portsmouth local RSPB Group and Hampshire Swifts will be hosting a free event in the centre of Portsmouth on Saturday, 24th June 2017 to celebrate these iconic birds, highlight their drastic decline as a breeding species and explain what we can all do to help.
Edward Mayer of Swift Conservation will be speaking and sharing his experiences of helping Swifts.
There will be activities for all the family, the chance to go on guided walks to see breeding Swifts (weather permitting) and exhibits of Swift nesting boxes, call systems, books, leaflets and many other items of interest.
Doors open at 13:30 and the event continues until 17:30 an d there is a coffee shop available for refreshments.
Thu 29th at 19:00 - Worlington Church event: Swifts - calling all churches, especially in Suffolk. The aim will be to get as many suitable Suffolk churches as possible to install swift boxes or provide homes for swifts in some other way, with talks by The Very Revd Dr Frances Ward, Dean of the Cathedral and Environment Officer for the diocese, Edward Jackson of Save our Suffolk Swifts and Dick Newell.
May 2017
Sun 14th at 14:30 - Presteigne. Peta Sams from Shropshire Swift Group will give a talk All about Swifts. Presteigne Assembly Rooms, Broad Street, Presteigne LD8 2AD
Tue 30th at 10:30 - Oswestry U3A. Peta Sams from Shropshire Swift Group will give a talk All about Swifts. Memorial Hall, Smithfield St., Oswestry SY11 2EG
April 2017
Thu 6th - Bucks Bird Club. Edward Mayer will give a talk on Swift Conservation
Thu 6th at 7:30pm - Inaugural Meeting of Cleobury Mortimer Swift Group. Peta Sams will give a talk All about Swifts. The Methodist Hall to the rear of the Methodist Church (Blue doors) in Cleobury Lower Street, Cleobury Mortimer,
Tue 11th at 7:30pm - Bridgnorth and District Naturalists' Society. Peta Sams from Shropshire Swift Group will give a talk All about Swifts. Bridgnorth Library, Listley Street, Bridgnorth, WV16 4AW
March 2017
Weds 1st at 7:30pm - Croal Irwell Group of Lancashire Wildlife Trust. Louise Bentley from Bolton and Bury Swifts will be giving a presentation about swifts in the Longfield Suite Prestwich, Bury. For more information contact superswifts@outlook.com
Thu 2nd - Guildford RSPB Group. Edward Mayer will give a talk on Swift Conservation.
Mon 6th at 2:30pm - Cumbria Wildlife Trust. Tanya & Edmund Hoare will give a talk on Our Disappearing Swifts Friends Meeting House, High St, Kirby Stephen, Cumbria CA17 4SH.
Tue 7th at 7.30pm - West Cumbria RSPB. Tanya & Edmund Hoare will give a talk on Our Not-So-Common Swifts. United Reform Church, Main St, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 9LU
Fri 10th at 7.30pm - Cumbria Wildlife Trust - Duddon Valley group. Tanya & Edmund Hoare will give a talk on Our Disappearing Swifts - what we can do. Thwaites Village Hall, Cumbria LA18 5HZ.
Tue 14th at 7:30pm - Newport Branch of Shropshire Wildlife Trust. Peta Sams from Shropshire Swift Group will give a talk All about Swifts. St Andrew's Church Hall, Church Aston, Newport TF10 9JG
Tue 14th - Reading Swift Club. Edward Mayer will give a talk on Swift Conservation
Tue 14th at 7:30pm - Inaugural Meeting of Bath Swift Group. This meeting will be held in the small meeting room at St Andrews Community Church, Hawthorn Grove, Combe Down, Bath, BA2 5QA. Anyone interested in monitoring and helping swifts in Bath is welcome to this meeting. Please let David Robertson dirobertson43@gmail.com know if you intend to attend.
February 2017
Fri 10th at 7:30pm - Lincs Wildlife Trust, Grantham area group. Dick Newell will give a talk All about Swifts. Barkston Village Hall, Main Road, Barkston, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG32 2NH.
Mon 20th - Tonbridge Bird Club, Edward Mayer will give a talk on Swift Conservation (phone 01732 435880 for info)
Wed 22nd Islington Union Chapel. Edward Mayer will give a talk on Swift Conservation
Fri 4th at 2pm - Dentdale Society. Tanya Hoare will give a talk Our disappearing Swifts. The Sedgwick Room, Dent Memorial Hall, Dent, Cumbria LA10 5QL
Tues 8th at 7:00pm - Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s South Derbyshire local group. Nick Brown from Derbyshire Swift Conservation Project will give a talk Saving our Swifts. Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, West Street, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 9DG
Tues 8th at 7:00pm - Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s South Derbyshire local group. Nick Brown from Derbyshire Swift Conservation Project will give a talk Saving our Swifts. Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, West Street, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 9DG
Fri 11th at 7:45pm - Loughborough RSPB local group. Dick Newell will give a talk All about Swifts - problems and solutions. Lecture Theatre U020, Brockington Building, Loughborough University. Epinal Way, Loughborough.
Sat 12th and Sun 13th - North West Bird Watching Fair at Martin Mere. Louise Bentley from Bolton and Bury Swifts will have a stand at this event. See here for more information.
Tues 15th at 7:30pm - Ilkeston Bird Club. Nick Brown from Derbyshire Swift Conservation Project will give a talk Saving our Swifts.
Rutland Golf Clubhouse at the bottom of West End Drive, Ilkeston. DE7 5GH.
Thu 17th at 7:30pm - Wensum Valley Birdwatching Society. Dick Newell will give a talk All about Swifts - problems and solutions. Weston Longville Hall for All, Norfolk
Wed 23rd at 7.45pm - Cheshire Wildlife Trust. Tanya Hoare will give a talk Our disappearing Swifts. St Mary Magdalene Church Centre, Moss Lane, Ashton-on-Mersey, Sale. Gtr Manchester M33 6GD.
October 2016
Wedneday 5th at 7:30pm - Trent & Lower Derwent group of the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. Nick Brown will give a talk Saving our Swifts at Spondon Village Hall, Sitwell Street, Spondon, DE21 7FG. See here for more information.
Thursday 13th at 2:30pm - Paxton Pits Nature Reserve. Dick Newell will give a talk All about Swifts. Visitors Centre opposite the reserve car park on the road, leading from the village. Post code PE19 6ET.
Thursday 13th at 7:30pm - Rochdale Field Naturalists. Louise Bentley from Bolton and Bury Swifts will give a talk about swifts. Cutgate Baptist Church, Edenfield Rd, Rochdale. for more information contact superswifts@outlook.com
Mon 31st at 1pm - Kendal Rotary Club. Tanya Hoare will give a talk after lunch Our swifts are in Trouble - what we can do.
Stonecross Manor, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 5HP. Prior booking essential: contact ashinchliffe@aol.com
September 2016
Sat 10th - Sun 11th - Heritage Open weekend at Ditherington Flax Mill SY1 2SZ Shropshire Swift Group will be there both days talking to visitors about swifts
Sat 17th - Merefest - Cremone Gardens, Ellesmere. Shropshire Swift Group will be there talking to visitors about swifts
August 2016
Fri 19th - Sun 21st August Birdfair, Egleton Rutland. Swift Conservation & Action for Swifts will be showcasing Swifts, highlighting the challenges they face, including their spectacular migrations to Africa and back, and providing free information on ideas for action to help end their sad decline. Attraction call equipment, nest boxes and videos will be on display. Booklets, badges, attraction call kits and swift nest boxes will be on sale. Find out all about Swifts and join the Swifts Local Network! Talk to us about what you can do in your home, church or school to help Swifts!
July 2016
Friday 1st - Swift Stroll around Sedbergh. Arranged by Sedbergh Walking and Cycling Group and led by Sedbergh Community Swifts: Looking for swift nesting places and at places where boxes and bricks have been put up. Meet Loftus Hill car park 7.30pm. LA10 5RX. Contact Tanya Hoare ta.hoare@btinternet.com
Thursday 7th - Swift Walk around Shrewsbury - arranged by Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Shropshire Swift Group. Meet outside The Cut Visitor Centre, Abbey Foregate, SY2 6AH at 8:30pm for a walk along the river to look for swifts and swift nest sites. Finish by 10pm but leave whenever you need to. For more information contact Peta Sams shropshireswifts@gmail.com
Friday 8th - Sedbergh Swift Spotting - a stroll around the area looking for swifts and nest sites with Sedbergh Community Swifts, and maybe time for a friendly drink too. .
Meet Joss Lane car park 8.30pm. LA10 5AD. Contact Tanya Hoare ta.hoare@btinternet.com
Sunday 10th - Swift Discovery Day at Pennington Flash - drop in anytime between 10am and 4pm at St Helens Rd, Leigh WN7 3PA
Join RSPB, Greater Manchester Ecology Unit and Bolton and Bury Swifts for fun family-friendly activities as well up close up views of these amazing birds. For more information contact superswifts@outlook.com
Wednesday 13th (19:30) - Fulbourn Swift Group, Dick Newell will give a talk All about Swifts , The Swifts meeting rooms, Haggis Gap, Fulbourn, CB21 5HD. This will be followed by an escorted Swift walk around The Swifts estate.
Thursday 14th - Swift stroll around Dent - a gentle stroll around the village, looking for swift nesting places. Should be time for a friendly drink too!
Meet Dent car park 8.30pm. LA10 5QJ. Contact Tanya Hoare ta.hoare@btinternet.com
Save Our Suffolk Swifts - evening events in July
Join us at one of these three events across Suffolk for an illustrated talk by Edward Jackson on the amazing lives of Swifts followed by a walk to look out for local Swift colonies. All events start at 19:00.
- Wednesday 6th: Old Felixstowe Community Centre, Ferry Road, Felixstowe, IP11 9NB
- Thursday 14th: St Mary's Church, Bungay, NR35 1AX
- Wednesday 27th: The Centre, St John's Street, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1SN
All events are free, but donations are very welcome. Please book for the event of your choice at: suffolkwildlifetrust.org/whats-on
For more information and to log Swift sightings and nest locations in Suffolk visit:
SOS Swifts is a joint project led by Suffolk Wildlife Trust and Suffolk Ornithologists' Group
Saturday 23rd - Chaddesden Swift Group will have a display at the Derwent Community Fair to be held at St Phillip’s Church, Taddington Road, Chaddesden, Derby DE21 6JU
Saturday 23rd - Chaddesden Swift Group will have a display at the Derwent Community Fair to be held at St Phillip’s Church, Taddington Road, Chaddesden, Derby DE21 6JU
Saturday 23rd - Sedbergh Artisan Market - Sedbergh Community Swifts have a stall with displays, boxes , attraction calls. LA10 5AD. 9am - 2pm Contact Tanya Hoare ta.hoare@btinternet.com
Tues-Thurs July 26th-28th - Hampshire Swifts representatives will be present on the Hampshire Ornithological Society stand at the New Forest Show with leaflets and swift badges for sale. Drop in and learn more about these fabulous birds.
June 2016
until June 29th Oriel y Parc, St Davids, SA62 6NW - Swifts Round a Tower. This father and daughter joint exhibition has been inspired by Peter’s life-long fascination with the swift. It is a wonderful display in words and sculpture. The conservation-led exhibition also includes a short film produced and sponsored by Pembrokeshire-based Rebecca Naden, the distinguished professional photographer. Peter's poetry book and Elly's ceramics are for sale with proceeds helping swift conservation. full information can be seen here.
Fri 10th (1pm - 6pm) &
Sat 11th June (10am - 5pm) - Cambridge Natural History Society Conversazione, Action for Swifts will again have a display at this event. Department of Zoology, Downing Street, Cambridge.
Saturday 18th (9am - 2pm) - Sedbergh Artisan Market and Cyclo-Sportive event:
Sedbergh Community Swifts have a stall with displays, boxes , attraction calls. LA10 5AD
Friday 24th Sedbergh Swift Spotting - a stroll around the area looking for swifts and nest sites with Sedbergh Community Swifts, maybe with time for a friendly drink too.
Meet Joss Lane car park 8.30pm. LA10 5AD. Contact Tanya Hoare - ta.hoare@btinternet.com
Friday 24th - Chaddesden Swift Group will have a display at the Leesbrook Community School Summer Fair
Leesbrook Community School, Morley Road, Chaddesden, Derby, DE21 4QX
Sunday 26th June, 13:00 to 17:00 - Fulbourn Feast, Action for Swifts will have a display with Swift boxes, attraction call kits, books and videos. Fulbourn Recreational Ground, Cambridge, CB21 5BS.
Sunday 26th June, 13:00 to 17:00 - Fulbourn Feast, Action for Swifts will have a display with Swift boxes, attraction call kits, books and videos. Fulbourn Recreational Ground, Cambridge, CB21 5BS.
Monday 27th - Swift Walk around Clun - arranged by Clun Branch of Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Shropshire Swift Group. Details tbc. For more information contact Peta Sams shropshireswifts@gmail.com
Thursday 30th - Swift Walk around Shrewsbury - arranged by Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Shropshire Swift Group. Meet outside The Cut Visitor Centre, Abbey Foregate, SY2 6AH at 8:30pm for a walk along the river to look for swifts and swift nest sites. Finish by 10pm but leave whenever you need to. For more information contact Peta Sams shropshireswifts@gmail.com
May 2016
Thu 12th from 9am - 2pm - Welcoming the Swifts at Ludlow Local Produce Market. Call in and find out about our summer visitors who have just arrived back in the town for the summer.
Thu 12th 7:00pm - "Keeping the Skies Alive - Helping Swifts & Swallows". Edward Mayer of Swift Conservation is talking at the Froyle Wildlife Group. All are welcome. See http://froylewildlife.co.uk/walks-and-talks-2016/ for more information.
Sat 14th & Sun 15th from 7pm - Welcoming the Swifts at The Charlton Arms, Ludford Bridge, Ludlow, SY8 1PJ. Our 3rd year of swift spotting from the balcony of the pub overlooking the River Teme. A fantastic spot to see swifts, house martins, dippers and who knows what else. Find out more about swifts from the our displays and members of Ludlow Swift Group will be there to answer any questions.
Tues 24th from 8pm to 9pm - Welcoming the Swifts in the garden of 55 Norfolk Road, Maidenhead, SL6 7AU. Members of the Maidenhead, Marlow and Cookham Swift Group and friends will be gathering (weather permitting) to have drinks on the lawn, watch the swifts above the house and hear a short talk from local bird ringing specialist Paul Warham. Suggested donation £2. Find out more about the group here.
April 2016
Fri 1st April at 7:30pm - St Mary's Church, Buckden, Dick Newell is giving a talk All about Swifts - the sound of an English summer! As this is a fund raiser for the church, there will be a £5 admission charge.
Sat 2nd April at 2:30pm - Wells Natural History & Archaeological Society, A talk by Ray Overall centred on the Swift colony using the tower at Oxford University Museum, where he is a member of the team continuing the survey started by David Lack in 1947. His talk will also include a short film made about the project in the 1980s. At the conclusion of his talk, Rosina Robinson will give an update of her study of Swifts breeding in Wells. Venue: Wells & Mendip Museum, 8 Cathedral Green, Wells BA5 2UE Members of the Wells Natural History & Archaeological Society have free entry and visitors pay £2.00. Details here
Sat 2nd April Hampshire Ornithological Society, Edward Mayer of Swift Conservation is giving a talk on Swifts.
Thur 7th - Sun 10th April The International Swift Seminars 2016 - Szczecin, Poland
Tues 12th April at 7:30pm - Altrincham Natural History Society. Tanya & Edmund Hoare give a talk Our Disappearing Swifts at Jubilee Centre, Bowdon, Altrincham. See http://www.altnats.org.uk/
Wed 20th April at 7:30pm - Nick Brown of Derbyshire Swift Group is giving a talk titled Saving Our Swifts for Derbyshire Mid-Badger Group at The Gothic Warehouse, Cromford Wharf, Mill Lane Cromford, DE4 3RQ.
Mon 25th April at 7:30pm - Sedbergh Walking & Cycling Group: Tanya & Edmund Hoare give a talk Searching for Swifts in People's Hall, Sedbergh. http://www.sedbergh.org.uk/events/
Thur 28th April River Waveney Trust, Edward Mayer of Swift Conservation is giving a talk on Swifts. book here
Sat 30th April - A course about swifts in Sevilla. There will be several talks, conducted by ornithologists who work with swifts and also nest-box building. For more information see http://vidasilvestreiberica.org/vencejos/ March 2016
Tue 8th - Thur 10th March Ecobuild, Swift Conservation is exhibiting on stand E7108, Excel, London
Mon 14th March at 7:30pm - Bakewell Bird Study Group. Tanya & Edmund Hoare give a talk Our Not-so-Common Swifts at Friends Meeting house, Main St.,Bakewell http://www.bakewellbirdstudygroup.org.uk
Wed 16th March at 7:30pm - Shropshire Wildlife Trust - Clun Branch at Hightown Room, Vicarage Road, Clun. Peta Sams of Shropshire Swift Group is giving a talk on Swifts with an emphasis on swifts in Shropshire. Contact meminson@btinternet.com or 01588 640921
Thurs 17th March at 7:45pm - Lancaster RSPB. Tanya & Edmund Hoare give a talk Our Disappearing Swifts at St Paul's Hala Centre, Scotforth, Lancaster. See http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/lancaster/
Sat 19th March - Essex Bird Watching Society conference: Migration 'Out of Africa'. Swift Conservation and Action for Swifts will have a display showcasing Swifts, nest boxes, and Swift migration. Writtle College, Northumberland Lecture Theatre, Lordship Lane, Writtle, CM1 3RP
Thu 24th March - Brighton RSPB Group, Edward Mayer of Swift Conservation is giving a talk on Swifts. book here
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