The residents of Egerton Road have been preparing their street for some very special visitors and it has involved some extreme DIY.
At this time of year our skies should be full of those glorious streamlined birds called swifts. But, over the last 30 years their numbers have dropped by around 90 per cent in the Bristol area so now, where there used to be ten swifts, only one is left.
Swifts only nest in buildings, usually in roofs. They prefer pre-Second World War buildings. Bishopston (and much of Bristol) is therefore perfect for them.
But, every roof repair and loft conversion risks swifts being blocked out of their former homes. Repeat this across Britain and the birds are in deep trouble.
Fortunately, there is a solution – provide nest boxes and they will come. So the residents of Egerton Road, with invaluable advice and guidance from Mark Glanville of the wonderful website www.bristolswifts.co.uk , decided to act. Host families bought, or made, boxes and even, when their own house proved unsuitable, gifted a box to a neighbour. Double boxes – even a few triples – were preferred because, just like us, swifts prefer a choice. A doughty crew of carpenters and builders was assembled and fitted the boxes working atop the longest ladders the street could provide.
But a problem arose: swifts like to be up high – they want to be up near the roof – and some houses were too high for even these intrepid swift-box fitters to reach on a ladder.
Step up Justin Grew and Jon Gedman of Gristwood and Toms. This company, part of the landscaping and tree surgery Nurture group, very kindly provided a cherry-picker and these two enthusiastic operators, to allow the higher level boxes to be mounted safely.
“I just want the birds to be happy,” said Justin, “and it was an exciting adventure which we were happy to be involved with.”
It was especially exciting for Toby Partington who got to fit the highest boxes, after spending several hours perched on a ladder fitting (slightly) lower ones.
“I definitely prefer the cherry picker!” was his conclusion.
Your correspondent supervised from below with a “right a bit” and a “have you got the spirit level?” Then, as we were waving goodbye to Justin and Jon, right on cue two swifts appeared overhead to check out the results.
Thanks to all involved, and good luck to Berkeley Road who are now making and fitting swift boxes to help grow our Bishopston colony.
Dawn Lawrence