The Irfon Valley Swift Group is delighted that Builth Wells Fire Station has installed two swift boxes.

Speaking on the installation of the swift boxes, Simon Prince, Station Manager a tBuilth Wells Fire Station, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting the work of the Irfon Valley Swift Group and the local population of swifts by introducing these nesting boxes to the Fire Station.

“We’ll all be keeping a close eye on the boxes to see the first signs of them being used!”

Caroline Geller from the Irfon Valley Swift Group said: “Providing new nesting places, like these boxes on the fire station, is one way people can help swifts.”

A swift box in place
A swift box in place (.)

Builth Wells is thought to be the Brecknock stronghold for swifts. Two groups of swifts, each of with more than 50 birds, were seen circling over the town on a Swift Awareness Walk back in July.

However, the species is in decline and was added to the Red List of Conservation Concern in 2021, along with swallows, and house martins. Swifts nest inside buildings, entering through small gaps between the wall and the roof. However, as older buildings are renovated the nest entrances are blocked. Swifts are very loyal to their nesting site and this may stop them breeding. Most people don’t realise they are there. Swifts are very tidy birds.

Swifts are now back in Africa, where they spend our winter, feeding on insects. They now will return in April - quite an astonishing journey for such a small bird.

Irfon Valley Swift Group, supported by WTSWW, are making sure that swift nesting sites are recorded on the Environmental Records Wales database so that they show up in searches for planning applications. The Group advise on the placement of boxes and are raising awareness of swifts along the Irfon Valley.

Join the Irfon Valley Swift Group Facebook page for updates and events. The group can be found on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/groups/242015375602777

If you are interested in building you own swift box to support conservation efforts, a handy webpage can be found here: www.wildlifetrusts.org/actions/how-build-swift-box