Sadly, the population of Swifts in the UK declined by 58% between 1995 and 2018, resulting in the species being added to the UK’s Red List for Birds in December 2021.
[[{"fid":"296842","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"swift in swift brick","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"swift in swift brick"},"link_text":false,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"swift in swift brick","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":"swift in swift brick"}},"attributes":{"alt":"swift in swift brick","title":"swift in swift brick","style":"float: right;","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]]To help address this biodiversity crisis, Taylor Wimpey has worked with Action for Swifts to incorporate S Bricks (Swift bricks) into the exterior walls of 85 new homes at the Burghley Green development in Cambourne.
More S Bricks are planned for Varsity Grange, in Northstowe. As a result, many local Swifts will now be able to find a safe place to nest when they return from Africa in May.
Other regular visitors to local gardens, such as house sparrows, blue tits, great tits, starlings and house martins, will also benefit from this innovative approach to eco-friendly development.
Dick Newell, spokesperson for Action for Swifts, explained: “We’re grateful to Taylor Wimpey for their help with our projects to help swifts. Trees and hedges can take a few years to get established where new homes are built, so natural habitats can take a long time to materialise. For these reasons, building new homes with ready-made nest bricks is a quick way to tackle the rapid decline of swifts and other small cavity-nesting species.”
Jordan Last, Planning Co-ordinator for Taylor Wimpey East Anglia, added: “The work that we do goes far beyond building high quality homes. We’re committed to leaving a positive, lasting legacy around our developments and we think a crucial part of this is safeguarding the natural environment and native wildlife.
“We’re delighted that the first Swift boxes are now in place and ready to accommodate their new residents at Burghley Green and Varsity Grange. Looking ahead to the future, we plan to replicate this approach across multiple sites throughout the region.”