A move to champion the idea of Keswick becoming a swift-friendly town is set to be made by the town’s natural history society.
It is estimated that over the past 25 years Keswick has lost nearly two thirds of its population of swifts – a bird that is now included in the international red list of endangered species.
Two key reasons why swift numbers have reduced so radically are that when older houses and buildings are modernised or repaired, this often results in the loss of the high-up gaps or holes in the walls or under the eaves that swifts need to nest in.
And the extensive use of pesticides in gardens and farms has led to a crash in the numbers of insects, on which swifts (and many other birds) feed.
The key aims of Keswick Natural History Society’s campaign would be to raise awareness of this exciting but endangered bird; to encourage more people to put up swift boxes and swift bricks to increase the number of nesting spaces; and to encourage people to use fewer pesticides, where they can.
Nicki Baker, society secretary, said the first step is to explore what support there is for the campaign in the Keswick area, and to get potentially interested people together, to set up a working group.
“There’s already plenty of great examples of how people elsewhere have been working along just these lines,” said Nicki.
“There are swift groups in many towns, including three in the south of Cumbria; and the Cumbria Wildlife Trust, RSPB and British Trust for Ornithology are all giving prominence to swifts, because they now have red list status.
“And we in Keswick are very fortunate that Cumbria Bird Club’s Dave Piercy has for several years been co-ordinating the collection of records of swift numbers in the town – which should get us off to a flying start.”
Anyone interested in getting involved should email [email protected]
