Swifts get a big welcome in Caerwedros this Spring

Caerwedros is encouraging swifts to nest locally.  The plan originated with Wayne Lewis, who had two pairs of swifts nesting on his house, one in a crack under the soffit board and another in an external box on the front of the house.

“Have you ever wished that you could shut off half your brain?   Swifts can!” says bird-loving Wayne. “Swifts visit Ceredigion between May and August every year. They fly thousands of miles from mid and southern Africa to nest in and around our houses – what an honour!  In Caerwedros, we’re lucky to have a nesting population of Swifts of around 7 or 8 families.  Although we’re not quite certain of the numbers, as the birds go in and out of the nests so quickly that you can’t see exactly how many of them live there!  It’s an excellent opportunity to do some careful bird watching….. Anyway, as a community, we’ve decided to try and increase that number (whatever it is!) by installing external nest boxes onto various houses all over the village.”

Wayne worked with 4 Llan, the new community development organisation for Llanarth, Llanllwchaearn, Llandysiliogogo, Llangrannog and surrounding areas, and held a bird box building day in October 2024 at the Coffi a Chlonc meeting (held every last Monday in the month in Neuadd Goffa Caerwedros).  Approximately 50 people turned up to listen to a talk about swifts and to help with building some boxes.  As a result of the meeting, 14 boxes were built and will be installed ready for the Swifts to return to this spring.

“Great news” says Wayne, “and we all look forward to hearing the unmistakable sound of swift ‘screaming parties’ as groups hurtle around the village skies in years to come.”

If you’re interested in having a box or even holding a similar event near you just get in touch with 4 Llan through this website and we’ll help make it happen.

Swifts need our help.  In the 20 years 1995 to 2015, the UK swift population has declined by around 51%.  This is largely because, when we modernise older houses, we fill all the cracks and crevasses in walls and roofs where swifts have nested for generations, and any new houses are often ‘sealed’ to help with energy efficiency.  However, swifts are adaptable birds and will happily use external nest boxes if provided.  They absolutely love occupying new nest boxes built on old or into newly-built houses.

3 fun facts about Swifts

1. They can shut half their brain off when they fly.  Swifts have a very shallow glide angle and so, at night, they go high in the air, switch off half their brain to rest as they glide very shallowly downwards before waking flying up again and repeating the process.
2. When a young Swift drops from the nest for the first time, it does not land again for two years.  Amazing, eh?
3. Swifts do not have the bird equivalent of a thumb so cannot perch. They have some residual forward-facing toes which enable them to cling to walls and landing places in front of their holes.  They then use their legs and wings to get up into the nest.  When they leave their nest, they simply fall from the opening and gain speed as they drop – hence boxes have to be high up on the wall!

Notes

1. If you want to learn more about swifts, find out more at Swift Conservation
2. With thanks to the BTO for use of the photo of the swift in this article and to Wayne Lewis who photographed the bird boxes.
3. Don’t forget: Coffi a Chlonc (Coffee and Chat) meetings are held every last Monday in the month in Neuadd Goffa (Memorial Hall), Caerwedros – and EVERYONE is welcome to come along and speak (or learn) a bit of Welsh.
4. Ymddiriedolaeth Tir Cymunedol 4 Llan Cyfyngedig (4 Llan Community Land Trust Limited) is a ‘not for personal profit’ Community Benefit Society set up to maintain and/or improve the physical, social and economic infrastructure within the communities of Llanarth, Llanllwchaearn, Llandysiliogogo, Llangrannog and surrounding areas. Our primary aim initially is to provide affordable housing on either a rental or shared ownership basis for people with a strong local connection. We are also interested in the generation of clean energy within or by our communities.  We also wish to provide an opportunity for public-spirited people and organisations to contribute to the community through becoming members and shareholders of the Trust. Our goals are long-term and community led.