Residents to welcome swifts home

It is hoped the boxes will encourage swifts back into the area

Council tenants are offering a place to stay for birds made homeless by the rise of modern houses.

Wildlife experts studying the movements of swifts in Bracknell, Berkshire, have given 20 residents nesting boxes.

They say the birds are struggling to find nest sites, as modern building standards have seen fewer and fewer crevices left in walls.

They hope to encourage the birds back to the area and to study their numbers and breeding habits over the summer.

Drop in numbers

The tenants have had the boxes fitted to their homes by Bracknell Forest Borough Council's maintenance team.

A spokesman said: "They will increase the places available for swifts to nest.

"Traditionally, swifts have used crevices in buildings for nest sites but now, owing to renovation and modern building practices, they struggle to find suitable nest sites.

"The lack of nesting sites has contributed to a drop in numbers in Bracknell Forest."

Members of the Bracknell Biodiversity Forum are asking for anyone who sees a swift to contact them.