A NEW brick has been installed in homes being built in a new development in Wokingham, in a bid to boost bird populations.
David Wilson Homes has teamed up with the RSPB to develop the swift brick, which will help the birds create safe nests.
Research reveals that the swift population has declined by 58% since 1995 and 2018, and one of the reasons is though to be changes to roof designs, older properties being renovated, and derelict buildings being demolished.
In all, David Wilson Homes will install 155 swift bricks at Ashridge Grange, on Warren House Road, throughout the lifetime of the site – part of its plans to install 7,000 swift bricks by the end of 2025.
Every year the swift helps announce the arrival of summer as they complete a 3,400 mile migration journey to nest and raise their young in the UK. They are the fastest bird in level flight, reaching up to 69mph, and don’t touch the ground for the first three years of their lives.
Even after their early years, they only land to breed, continuing to eat, mate, and even sleep in the air.
David Thomas, chief executive of Barratt Developments, said: “Swifts are such important birds and we are pleased with the 4,000 swift bricks we have installed so far.
“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.”
The RSPB has partnered with the Swift Local Network and charity, Action for Swifts, to develop Swift Mapper – a web and app-based platform that allows anyone to record swift activity and nesting sites.
Records submitted to Swift Mapper help people to learn more about this iconic species and target conservation efforts. Swift Mapper is available for download on the App Store and Google Play Store or can be accessed online at https://www.swiftmapper.org.uk.
Kimberley Benson, sales and marketing director for David Wilson Southern Counties, comments: “As we continue building homes, it becomes even more important to find creative methods to welcome wildlife into our new developments.
“Our flagship swift brick design is just one way in which we are working to create a home for nature at Ashridge Grange and will ensure swift populations have a home for the long term.”
For more details, log on to: www.dwh.co.uk
