We worked with SC Johnson to create a new nest site at their Surrey premises.

A team effort

Nest site at SC Johnson premises

SC Johnson company colleagues helped us to install this new nest site.

An ideal location

The location is ideally situated between Frimley Green and St Peters church, Frimley, providing a link to two existing swift populations.

We installed two swift terraces and a sound system to attract swifts to nest there.

Custom made swift terraces

The terraces were specially made by John Mackey for the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust, for which we are very grateful.

A project inspired by our recent talk - artist Will Nash unveils his new design.

The plight of swifts

A swift tower for Shalford

Last summer, we gave a talk about the plight of swifts at a village meeting in Shalford. The talk was well received and inspired a project to build a new swift tower for the village.

A new swift tower

A swift tower is a free-standing structure, with lots of boxes for swifts to build their nests in. It’s an ideal place to return to every year.

Artist Will Nash was appointed to design the new swift tower. His design was unveiled at a presentation at Shalford Village Hall on 28 March.

On 7 November at St John’s, Lower Hale, we took another big step in providing swift homes.

Boxes in the belfry

A steep climb....

In this beautiful church we clambered up high in the bell tower where John skilfully constructed the parts of the swift and bat homes right next to the bell.

But don’t worry, swifts don’t mind the occasional noise!

We're very grateful

Thanks to St Johns for their help and encouragement and especially to John Mackey for his skills and time.

A new tower provides homes for swift families when they return from Africa.

Enticing swifts to Tice's Meadow

A community effort

Plans for the swift tower were provided by Action for Swifts, and the planning application kindly paid for by landowner Hanson.

The tower was built by volunteers from the Tice’s Meadow Bird Group, with funding from the National Lottery’s Big Lottery Fund.

The nest box was mounted on a utility pole donated and erected by Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) as part of the company’s ‘Be the Difference’ scheme which allows their staff to take time away from their day jobs to help local charities and communities.

We're very grateful

Colin Wilson, our vice chair said: “The Aldershot area is an undoubted hotspot for swifts and the support of the Tice’s Meadow Bird Group has been colossal in promoting and actively supporting the aims of the project. The beautiful location, close to existing populations of swifts and with such excellent feeding territory on the doorstep, fills us with hope and enthusiasm for this venture. This is a great demonstration of community teamwork at Tice’s Meadow and we are very grateful.”