Tanya & Edmund Hoare
'Swifts are birds that we can do something to help: we started Sedbergh Community Swifts in 2014 to raise awareness about the threats they face and, importantly, to show practical steps we can take to help.'
Tanya Hoare
More than your average swift enthusiasts! Tanya and Edmund modified their house to create better accommodation for the swift colony living there. A network of cameras allows them to gain insight into the swifts’ lives. They set up Sedbergh Community Swifts and give talks across the UK. Here's more from Tanya:
'The incredible lifestyle of swifts, birds that sleep on the wing, inspired us to help stem their serious decline – they were red-listed in 2021. Swifts are birds that we can do something to help: we started Sedbergh Community Swifts in 2014 to raise awareness about the threats they face and, importantly, to show practical steps we can take to help. Firstly by conserving existing nest sites in the eaves and crevices of old buildings undergoing renovations, and additionally by providing new nest sites. We have put up over 140 nest boxes and integral nest bricks into private and public buildings, including schools and churches.
Swifts became a special passion 20 years ago, when we moved to our cottage at Lowgill, discovering it had a colony of swifts. During renovations we put cameras into existing nest sites and created new ones by installing internal nest bricks into the walls. Our colony has over time more than doubled to 34 pairs, giving a fascinating insight into their lives.
We give many talks, including to schools, using video clips to illustrate the swifts’ lives. It is very rewarding when people are enthused to start up their own swift groups. We are active members of both the national and international swift forums, which enables us to share knowledge and experience with other swift enthusiasts. We are always happy to help and advise people and cover many miles visiting them each year.
The way forward has to involve planning, since new buildings offer no nesting opportunities. We have to urge planning authorities, and the ecologists who advise them, to specify that integral nest bricks are incorporated into new buildings – think of all the estates that are constructed all over the country that could accommodate swifts.'