Swift boxes and other ecological architectural "enhancements"

[Lincolnshire Ian]

Hi

Our planners are keen for new builds to incorporate swift boxes. 

I researched this a little and realised that Wienerberger not only makes integrated swift boxes but also boxes for other bird species, bees, and insects.
We have a two-storey, north-facing gable end that seems to fit the bill for the swift boxes, but I was wondering if anyone else had fitted other habitat integral bricks.

We want to avoid bat boxes so that we aren't involved in all the protected species stuff.

Any shared experiences/advice would be great.

Thanks

 

[G and J]

Do swift boxes need clearing out?  I love the idea of such things but one of our basic design starting points is as little maintenance as possible and definitely no ladder based maintenance.   Odd really, cos I love monkeying around at height but the older I get the more risky that is.

[crispy_wafer]

We had to fit swift boxes too, trouble is, the swifts that visit us every year nest in the stables…. So the one in the brickwork is redundant, just a box ticking exercise I feel.  Just as well because I don’t fancy swift crap down the brickwork, and on the floor below.

[Mike]

5 hours ago, Lincolnshire Ian said:

Wienerberger not only makes integrated swift boxes but also boxes for other bird species, bees, and insects.

Schwegler - https://www.schwegler-natur.de/vogelschutz/?lang=en - do a good range too, though I'm not sure if they still have retailers in the UK.

[Lincolnshire Ian]

5 hours ago, G and J said:

Do swift boxes need clearing out?  I love the idea of such things but one of our basic design starting points is as little maintenance as possible and definitely no ladder based maintenance.   Odd really, cos I love monkeying around at height but the older I get the more risky that is.

The blurb talks about swifts being very clean birds with no requirement for cleaning. Apparently, the adult birds poo away from the nest and even eat the chick's poo to keep things nice and clean!

[G and J]

48 minutes ago, Lincolnshire Ian said:

The blurb talks about swifts being very clean birds with no requirement for cleaning. Apparently, the adult birds poo away from the nest and even eat the chick's poo to keep things nice and clean!

Ok that’s sounding good.  The sound of swifts ‘skweeing’ overhead is the sound of summer and holiday all rolled into one.