Save Our Suffolk Swifts

The SOS Swifts campaign is again travelling around the county this July. Please join us at one of the following events for an illustrated talk by Edward Jackson followed by a walk to look at existing Swift colonies.

Wednesday 6th July Old Felixstowe Community Centre, Ferry Rd, Felixstowe IP11 9NB from 7pm

Thursday 14th July St Mary’s Church, Bungay NR35 1AX from 7pm

Wednesday 27th July The Centre, St John’s Street, Bury St. Edmunds IP33 1SN from 7pm

It would be great to see you there.

Save our Suffolk Swifts Suffolk is losing its swifts. In the 30 years to 2014 numbers have almost halved – and this is happening across much of the UK. Developments in construction, renovation and insulation have seen entrances to swi nest sites sealed off , with devastating results. The SOS Swi s initiative (Save our Suffolk Swifts) was established in 2013 to add support to a concerted national eff ort to raise awareness of the threats faced by the species, to encourage the recording of nest sites and screaming parties and to celebrate these unique and truly amazing summer visitors. The events listed overleaf are open to all. They off er an opportunity to learn more about swi s and will detail simple steps that individuals can take to help turn around their fortunes in the county.

David Moreton

Life on the wing Swi s spend almost all of their life in the air. They are the only bird to feed, drink, mate and sleep on the wing - they only land to nest. At night they roost at an altitude of over 3,000 metres. A young swi will spend its fi rst three or four years in constant fl ight before it breeds. Swi s are in the UK for just three months each summer, then they migrate to Central and Southern Africa to spend our winter there. While they are with us they fi ll our summer evenings with their aerobatic, amazingly fast fl ight and trademark ‘screaming’ calls. Report your fi rst swi sighting in 2016 using the #SOSswi s hashtag on Twi er