New Milton Housing Estate in Hampshire has been home for over 25 years
to a large colony of swifts (around 50 pairs). Following the
installation of anti-pigeon spikes to deter house martins, this colony
is under immediate threat of destruction. Find out more at the links below:
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/9136897.Anti_pigeon_spikes_put_colony_of_swifts_at_risk/
http://www.swift-conservation.org/news.htm
The swifts have now started to return and are trying to gain access to
their blocked nests. Many birds have already flown into the netting and
help is needed now before it is too late! These spikes have been known
to fatally injure swifts trying to find access to their holes.
Having flown thousands of miles, crossing the Sahara and facing many
perils along the way, it is heartbreaking to think their journey will
end here so needlessly.
We can stop this now. Please email contact@nfdc.gov.uk to tell them that swifts are iconic birds that are suffering due to lack of nest sites and that New Forest Council should be helping them by supplying them with nest bricks (nesting boxes in the shap of bricks that can be incorporated into buildings) rather than keeping them out of their nest sites.
You may want to refer the New Forest Cuncil to the Edinburgh Council briefing on Swifts and Development.
As ever, text in red contains hyperlinks that take you to other webpages where you can find out more and take action.
The thought of those poor birds fighting to get into their nesting sites is so upsetting! I hope that clearer minds prevail and very soon!
ReplyDeleteThis is disgusting, especially on the edge of the New Forest where you would imagine people would care more about wild birds. This is in my area so I will write some stiff e mails tomorrow. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.
ReplyDeleteHow sad! I hope the swifts are saved. It seems like something could be done instead of blocking them. You are doing great, just by making people aware of what is happening.
ReplyDeleteOmg that is awful! Hope action taken will prevent further damage. People can be so selfish - our new Premier of the State has jsut announced that he want people to have the right to shoot flying foxes (which are protected native species) because they are noisy and smelly - unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteI hope lots of folks help this out ...
ReplyDeleteOh I hope this works -- so sad. It must help that you and others are working on the awareness!
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