Swift Bricks - Cheap and Easy!

It's so easy to install these Swift nest places! Looking for a cheap and easy way to put some biodiversity in your new project? Look no further! For a surprisingly modest outlay you can create Swift nest places.   On the left is the Schwegler Swift Brick. Made of a type of concrete, it has a hollow interior for the Swifts to nest in. It measures 180mm high, 265mm wide, and is 220mm deep. On the right is the Ibstock Swift "Eco Habitat". Made from terracotta and recycled plastic plank, it measures 326mm x 140mm x 140mm. It is available in three clay colours. Use them in blockwork or brickwork walls, ideally as the top course, or placed high in gables, flank walls and ends of terraces.   Your new nest-places should be out of direct sunlight or else shaded day long beneath broad eaves. They should be 5 metres or more above ground. They should not be obstructed by nearby trees, cables, creepers or aerials. Install 1 to 4 Swift Bricks on a medium to large house, from 4 to 10 on a small block of flats, and 10 to 20 on a large site like a school, hospital or warehouse, or a major apartment development. Install them in a straight line, under the eaves or at the top of a vertical wall, away from windows. The birds are shy, and don't like being stared at as they prospect for nests! Don't worry about them making a mess. Swifts are very clean and if these nest places are used shouldn't leave those piles of droppings that some other birds do. Click here to visit our Shopping page and order Swift Bricks and Eco Habitats Need help? We provide EU - wide advice services - for further information contact Swift Conservation Some sites with Swift Bricks installed Photos © Edward Mayer Above left - Swift Bricks installed at Terry Farrell's Swiss Cottage Sports Centre, London NW3, designed and built for Camden Council. Camden were keen to have Swifts breeding at this site to bring some wildlife to a busy urban area. They asked Swift Conservation to specify and supervise the design and installation of these nest places. It's normal practice to hide these bricks behind rendering, pebble dash, or even tile and stone facings. All that is necessary is that the 55mm x 33mm entrance hole is exposed for the Swifts to gain access. On the right above are Swift Bricks installed at the Notting Hill Housing Trust / Barnet Council sheltered housing project at New Barnet, London N20. Local residents asked Swift Conservation to help them establish nest places for Swifts in the new building, so that existing birds would not become homeless following demolition of the former buildings on this site. Swift Bricks installation guidance Back to Contents