Swift Project 2021

Oran O’Sullivan

Swallows, SwiftsSwift & Martins ID – Confusion Species

Swift Swallow Malcolm Hunt (rspb-images.com) Richard Bedford (rspb-images.com)

House Martin RichardDavid Brooks Tipling (rspb(rspb--images.com)images.com) Sand Martin Ernie Janes (rspb-images.com) Swallows, Swifts & Martins Nest sites

Mark Hamblin (rspb-images.com) David Tipling (rspb-images.com)

David Tipling (rspb-images.com) Richard Brooks (rspb-images.com) Swift Nest Sites

• Nest semi-colonially

• Site faithful

• Pair for life, often in 1st year, but may not breed till 4 or 5.

• Nest in eaves of houses & buildings

• Lost nests are hard to get back…

Swift facts

• Nest is a shallow cup of materials caught in flight; • Lay 2 to 3 eggs, • Incubate 23 days; • Fledge in 38 to 56 days, depending on food availability Project Objectives

• Carry out a detailed survey of Swifts in county towns and villages to locate nesting colonies.

• Engage with local communities through liaison with Tidy Towns, other community groups and local residents to encourage local people to take an active part in Swift survey work and conservation now and in the future.

• Work with local groups and communities to implement Swift conservation projects at local level.

Swifts in Wicklow Where are they? No. Town/Village Number of Swifts Peak Nests present Number of Swifts in Wicklow times present numbe nests surveyed r of Swifts 1 Wicklow 10 yes 54 Yes 24 2 5 yes 85 Yes 14

3 Rathdrum 8 yes 16 Yes 11

.

y 4 Bray 4 yes 60 Yes 11

5 4 yes 6 Yes 5

.

y 6 6 yes 25 Yes 5

Survey 8 Coolattin 2 yes 10 Yes 5

Swift Wicklow 2019 the uring surveyed

towns 10 Aughrim 5 yes 21 Yes 5

1 able T all for information Summary :

Survey 9 4 yes 12 Yes 4 Swift Wicklow 2019 the during

surveyed 7 3 yes 8 Yes 3 1 able T towns all for information Summary

: 11 Knockanarrigan 1 yes 8 Yes 3

16 8 yes 12 Yes 3 12 3 yes 6 Yes 2 13 3 yes 9 Yes 2 14 2 yes 4 Yes 2 15 3 yes 6 Yes 2 17 2 yes 6 Yes 1 18 1 yes 2 Yes 1 19 3 yes 7 Not confirmed 0

20 Avoca 3 yes 2 Not confirmed 0

21 1 yes 2 Not confirmed 0

22 /pow 2 yes 2 Not confirmed 0 erscourt 23 3 yes 2 Not confirmed 0

24 Ashford 5 yes 1 Not confirmed 0

25 Glenealy 6 yes 1 Not confirmed 0 Swifts in Wicklow Heat Map Swifts in Wicklow Where are they? 35

30

25

20

15 Number ofstructures

10

5

0 House/Residential Small Business Church/Religious Public Castle/Heritage Site Building/structure type Swifts in Wicklow Where are they?

12

10

8

6

4 Number ofbuilding

2

0

Town/village

House/Residential Small Business Church/Religious Public Castle/Heritage Site Swifts in Wicklow Residential, Wicklow town Swifts in Wicklow Wicklow Gaol & Dominican Convent Swifts in Wicklow South Quay Swifts in Wicklow Residential, Arklow Swifts in Wicklow Residential Arklow Swifts in Wicklow Residential, Bray Swifts in Wicklow Residential, Bray Swifts in Wicklow Business, Rathdrum Declining Populations 26% decline…Reasons for Decline? Swifts In Your Town What can you do?

• Identify nest sites ( listen for ‘screamers’)

• Log nest site locations on the online platform.

• Make property owner aware of the birds occupying their building.

• Make local authority aware of Swifts in public buildings.

• Identify locations that might be suitable for new boxes.

• Raise awareness in your town by running a Swift event.

• Include your Swift survey findings in your Tidy Towns submission.

Swift Champions What can you do?

• Local contact point for all interested parties in your village or town. Liaise with co Ordinator.

• Log nest site locations and movements doe database.

• Sort House Martin nests from Swifts.

• Over the last two years Swift boxes have been erected in Arklow, Baltinglass, Blessington, Bray, Dunlavin, Grangecon,Greystones, Knockanarrigan, Rathdrum, Wicklow….

• Identify locations and home owners that might be suitable for new boxes.

Trim Swift Nest Box Project A collaborative effort Tubbercurry Swift Project Volunteers in Action GMIT Save our Swifts Project

GMIT Nest Cameras Schools Killeshandra ‘Wild Bunch’ Swift Box Projects 3 main steps…

Suitable sites Swift Nest Site identified for Survey conducted possible by volunteers from installation of Swift the community Swift boxes and boxes and caller with help from caller systems systems. Owners local Swift Co installed. approached and Ordinator, if agreement possible reached BirdWatch Ireland Swift Video Ireland’s Special Swifts Swifts: ShapesSwift in Flight ID –

Richard Bedford (rspb-images.com)

RichardDavid Brooks Tipling (rspb(rspb--images.com)images.com) Ernie Janes (rspb-images.com) Thanks!!!!

Any Questions?

www.biodivesityireland.ie

www.birdwatchireland.ie

www.irishgardenbirds.ie

[email protected]

County Wicklow Swift Project 2021 Thanks To…..

A very special thanks to…

• Deirdre Burns – Heritage Officer

• Wicklow County Council, Environmental Awareness Office

• BirdWatch Ireland Wicklow Branch