Are swifts the latest Hackney victim of housing crisis and property price rises?

We knew you were in trouble when you walked in: A Common Swift flying. Photograph: Wikipedia/Creative Commons

The ‘plight’ of Hackney’s swifts is to be the subject of a talk by conservationist Edward Mayer arranged by Hackney wildlife enthusiast Hamish Burnett.

“Swifts are fast declining in London and the talk I have arranged is about how we can help them,” said Mr Burnett. “In Hackney swifts may be becoming a victim of gentrification where house price rises have led to much increased renovation of houses and subsequently a lack of nooks and crannies for swifts to nest in.

“This is compounded by absentee landlords with no knowledge of swifts nesting in their properties and the fast turnover of tenants unable to help them by installing boxes.

“Swifts must be clinging on to a few nest sites in the area, but their future is far from secure.”

Mr Burnett has contacted a number of developers to see if they will work with him to install swift nest boxes in, but his efforts have come to nothing.

Superb fliers that migrate to the UK from Africa in the summer, swifts are famous for spending virtually their entire lives in flight. They are so at home in the air, they even sleep on the wing.

The talk will take place at the East Reservoir Community Garden, Newnton Close, Stoke Newington, N4 2RH, from 5-7pm on Saturday 21 June. There will also be an opportunity to take part in a guided ‘swift walk’.