Hampshire homebuilder installs 4,000 bird bricks
Hampshire-based homebuilder David Wilson Homes has announced it has installed 4,000 swift nesting bricks into its homes since 2016 as part of its ongoing partnership with the RSPB.
The partnership sees David Wilson Homes looking for ways to accommodate habitats for nature when it builds new housing developments, with swifts being one area of focus.
Last year, the species was added to the UK red list of conservation concern having seen its population decline by 58 per cent between 1995 and 2018.
An urban species, swifts like to nest in spaces in rooftops and old buildings, however modern building methods and the demolition of old buildings have reduced their nesting sites over the years.
Since 2016, David Wilson Homes has been installing special swift bricks into its developments and has now reached its initial target of 4,000. The housebuilder is now looking to install 7,000 by 2025.
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Campbell Gregg, Managing Director at David Wilson Homes Southern, said: “Swifts are such important birds and we are pleased with the 4,000 swift bricks we have installed so far.
“But, we have to keep on working hard with the RSPB to give these birds even more homes, which is why we are raising our target by another 3,000 swift nesting bricks, aiming to install some 7,000 in total in our homes across the country by 2025.”
An interesting bird, swifts are often the herald of summer when they migrate to the UK. Their 69mph top speed makes them the fastest bird in level flight.
They never touch the ground in the first three years of their lives, and even after their infancy only land to breed – eating, mating and even sleeping in the air.
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