An exciting new swift conservation project has been launched in Bures, in the west of the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) as part of the Wilder Together in the Stour Valley initiative.

Encouraged by Emma Black, Countryside Projects Officer for the Dedham Vale AONB, Cathy Smith of Suffolk Wildlife Trust, and Amy Ward of the RSPB the Bures Swift Project has been launched by Bures Transition group.

Bures Transition group is currently the most active environmental group in the village and so it was at the AGM on 1st March that Simon Hooton enthralled the gathered villagers with his extensive knowledge of swifts, and suggested ways more could be tempted to take up residence in Bures.

Swifts are a priority species in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Across the UK, in just under 20 years their population has declined by a staggering 45%. One of the reasons for their decline is a lack of nesting sites caused by many new buildings being built without nesting opportunities for swifts and old buildings being knocked down or repaired.

Emma had provided an example of a swift nesting box and a good list of householders willing to provide accommodation was made. The launch was followed up by a stall at the Annual Parish Meeting where further names were added to the list and Lee Norton stepped up to the plate as swift box installer extraordinaire!

Lee has so far installed 30 swift boxes and callers in the Bures area. The village is very grateful to Lee for taking on this role as  many of those offering up their eaves are not confident on a ladder. At one house the swifts are being encouraged to live alongside the house martins elsewhere they may have bats for company.

To date, swifts have been ‘prospecting’ rather than ‘nesting’ but Bures Transition are confident that the project along with “No Mow May’ will result in increased numbers of these amazing birds to visit Bures.                          

For more information, please contact Emma Black at emma.black@suffolk.gov.uk or Gill Jackson at gjackson.bures@gmail.com. Find out more about the Wilder Together in the Stour Valley project at www.dedhamvalestourvalley.org/wildertogether.