Thanks to generous donations received by LDF, we were able to support `Swifts in the Community’. A project made up of enthusiastic volunteers who monitor the numbers of nesting swifts, which sadly are in decline partly due to modern building design. Fortunately, survey work has been able to continue throughout the Covid-19 pandemic with volunteers carrying out their monitoring whilst observing social distancing rules. However, planned educational talks and presentations have had to go on hold for the time being.
“The grant money has enabled us to purchase nesting boxes which are being used in areas where there are only a small number of known nest sites. These small groups of birds are very vulnerable to disturbance as they are likely to desert an area if something stops their successful breeding. By providing nesting boxes in strategic locations it is hoped that more swifts will be attracted to the vicinity helping to preserve their presence.
Unfortunately, due to the pandemic we have been unable to hold our planned educational visits to local schools. This has been particularly disappointing as Crosthwaite school has swifts nesting in the school building. However, during the autumn/winter we will update our leaflets and printed material ready to distribute when circumstances allow.
We would like to thank LDF for supporting our project. It is thanks to their funding that we are able to continue to support the Swifts in our Community.”
To ensure that more projects like this can continue, please DONATE to the Lake District Foundation, your support really does make a difference.