Erection of Swift Nesting Tower at Whitlingham Country Park

A grant for this project aimed to help towards aims to secure the future of the swift. There has been a significant decline in the population and an additional 11,000 nests were estimated to be required to make up for the current declines in nesting provision in the UK. This project will help towards reducing the vulnerability of the swift population decline.

In the Whitlingham area, the swift has perfect conditions, with plentiful food and nesting opportunity in surrounding houses. New designs of nesting towers have been used in a handful of areas in the UK and Europe. These are providing opportunities for people to be inspired by wildlife whilst reducing the population decline of swifts.

To help the swifts, the Broads Authority, supported by a grant from Love the Broads, has built a tower with 20 nest chambers at Whitlingham Country Park. This is now busy welcoming swifts!

Andrea Kelly, Broads Authority Senior Ecologist, said: “One of the Authority’s duties relates to conservation and as part of this, we want to keep the sky over the Broads alive with swifts.

“At Whitlingham we are lucky to have plenty of insects in the meadows and woodland and near the water, so it’s a great place for birds such as swifts to feed and breed.”

Grant amount: Contribution of £500 towards total project cost

Applicant: Broads Authority in partnership with Whitlingham Charitable Trust