Swift boxes installed on campus to protect species

The idea for the project came from students Ieva Alikovaite, Arthur Wells, Molly Shaw and Jay Wilkinson.

Ieva is also designing a custom nest camera, which the college hopes to install in one of the used boxes next year, once nesting activity is confirmed.

Shown left: Bird Society students Ieva, Arthur and Jay with Dick Newell of Action for Swifts and Chris Graham

The team of students worked in consultation with the Action for Swifts organisation in order to determine optimal placement and box design.

Of the ten boxes, three are wooden RSPB swift nest boxes, funded through proceeds from past Eco Week fundraising. There are also five ‘Model 30’ boxes which were arranged in consultation with Action for Swifts, and which were purchased with help from the student Bird Society, enrichment groups and the Student Council.

Two further boxes were kindly donated by Head of Extended Project, Dr Nicolle McNaughton.

Shown left: Installation of a swift box; the box in placement

While the college is focusing on swifts for now, the wider goal is to boost insect populations too – by avoiding pesticide use and planting native species such as dogwood.

Staff and students will soon be watching the skies as the first swifts return from their winter migration in Africa, typically arriving between late April and mid-May.

In the meantime, students are encouraged to get involved by making origami swifts to celebrate their arrival.

For more on the college’s environmental work, visit our sustainability page.

Shown left: Six of the swift boxes; the interior of one box