Swift Brick Initiative Expanded
Barratt and David Wilson Homes, a significant developer in Milton Keynes, has increased its commitment to supporting declining swift populations. The company has purchased over 9,000 special nesting bricks since 2016. This effort surpasses a previous goal of 7,000 bricks set for completion by 2025.
A new, ambitious target has now been announced: to install a total of 10,000 swift nesting bricks in new homes by the close of 2027. This initiative is crucial for the conservation of swifts, a species facing significant population decline in the UK.
Conservation Concerns for Swifts
The swift population in the UK has fallen by two-thirds since 1995. Consequently, the bird is now listed on the UK’s red list of conservation concern. Swifts are migratory birds, travelling to the UK each year to breed.
They traditionally rely on cavities within buildings for nesting. Modern construction methods and the demolition of older structures have reduced the availability of these natural nesting sites. This has contributed to the species’ serious decline.
Barratt and David Wilson Homes has collaborated with the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) since 2016. This partnership focuses on integrating special swift nesting bricks into the external walls of new properties. These bricks provide safe and essential roosting and breeding locations.
Future Homes for Nature
The installation of a swift brick for every new home built is becoming a standard practice. This is part of the wider ‘Homes for Nature’ initiative, spearheaded by the Future Homes Hub. Many of the country’s largest housebuilders are participating in this programme.
Developing and implementing such conservation measures requires time. Barratt and David Wilson Homes has made a firm commitment to meet its updated target of 10,000 swift bricks by the end of 2027. This proactive approach ensures continued support for swift populations while new developments take shape.
The company worked with the RSPB and Manthorpe to develop and manufacture the swift brick. It is designed to be seamlessly integrated into building facades, offering secure nesting opportunities for swifts.
These specially designed bricks have also provided valuable nesting spaces for other cavity-nesting species. These include House Sparrows, Starlings, and House Martins, further enhancing local biodiversity in new housing areas.
Monitoring of the bricks has been conducted in partnership with the RSPB. This research has shown that the integration of these bricks can significantly increase urban biodiversity in certain locations. The success of the swift brick serves as a valuable model for sustainable development practices within the construction industry.
Swifts are a familiar sight in the British summer. They undertake a migration of approximately 7,000 miles to nest and raise their young in the UK. Known for their incredible aerial agility, they are the fastest birds in level flight, reaching speeds of up to 69mph.
Remarkably, swifts spend the first three years of their lives without landing. They continue to fly, eat, mate, and even sleep in the air. Even after this period, they only land to breed, highlighting their unique adaptation to an aerial existence.
Ben Kalus, Managing Director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes, stated, “By incorporating swift bricks into our homes we can play a practical role in supporting their recovery while creating places where both people and nature can thrive. Reaching our previous target was a significant milestone but now we are aiming to achieve 10,000 by the end of 2027 – lots more homes for this amazing bird.”
Residents interested in Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes developments in the Milton Keynes area can find more information on their respective websites.
This story is based on reporting by MKFM. Read the original coverage: MKFM