 Starlings
nest earlier than Swifts and prevent occupation of
the best nest places by Swifts when the latter arrive in April or May.
Even if the Swifts oust the Starlings, the bulky nest material imported by the Starlings can make the nest place useless.
But Starlings are in much the same position as Swifts,
declining and finding it hard to get new nest places.
So they need help too. If you have Starlings locally,
why not put up some boxes just for them? They can be
lots of fun!
If Starlings do take over a new Swift box, put up another
for the Swifts just before they arrive at the end of
April. To prevent Starlings taking over boxes used the
previous year by Swifts, you can fix pieces of card
over the holes with drawing pins until the Swifts are
about to arrive, then quickly remove them.
If none of the above are possible then Starling-proofing a nest place
is feasible. Follow the design below when making or refurbishing a nest
box, and Starlings should not be able to get in. The dimensions are
critical, and must be accurately rendered in the material used.
Alternatively, drill an oval hole 65mm wide x 30mm high, this can be
done with two cuts of a 30mm hole saw and a bit of sawing in between
the two holes to create the precise oval. This should deter Starlings
too.
We are indebted to the Purple Martin Conservation Association of North America for this design.
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Swift Nest Places
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Managing Starlings at Swift Sites