SWIFT ACTION NEEDED IN BRIGG TO HELP BIRDS RETURNING FROM AFRICA

Indicating that summer is on its way, swifts are now returning to Brigg after spending nine months in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Their strongholds from mid-May through to mid-August include East Parade and Central Square, and the middle section of Grammar School Road where they swoop to catch insects and nest under the eaves of some older properties and outbuildings.
Sadly, the generally warm and dry weather of recent weeks means that swifts and other migratory birds are finding it difficult to locate the mud needed for nest-building.
This problem has been highlighted by national home & garden retailer Wilko, which has a store in Brigg. And the company is now suggesting how local people can help these birds.
Wilko says heat hardens the ground and leaves birds such as house martins, swifts and swallows without enough sludge to build their nests and stay safe.
These bird species have rapidly fallen in terms of UK numbers and charities including bird protector the RSPB are concerned about the warm and dry weather impacting on the birds' ability to nest and breed this summer.
Daniel Bingham, Wilko's Senior Pets Buyer said: “Making mud pies in the garden immediately helps these birds and is an enjoyable activity to do with the kids at the weekend. It’s worth checking regularly that the pies remain sludgy yet clean, so that the birds can continually and hygienically use them. To bake, all you need to do is take an old dish or garden pot and mix soil with water until you get a truly muddy, gunging puddle. Kids will love the excuse to get their hands dirty and it costs nothing if you already have flowerbeds in your garden.
“Also, leaving small dishes of clean water in the garden and creating puddles can help hydrate birds, as well as provide you with the fun of spotting which species visit you and your home.
“If you have a large enough a garden, you can also consider putting up nest boxes and artificial nests to make more of a long term impact. These should be placed in shady spots to help the birds stay cool. Or you can encourage insects into the garden via bug houses and wild flower planting, in turn helping the birds find the food they need.
“Putting out a little extra food for our wild birds at this time of year will help the busy parents feed their young, but it is extremely important that feeders, bird tables and baths are cleaned regularly to help prevent the spread of disease.
“It’s worrying to hear that our feathered friends will be so negatively affected by the weather and we hope that as many Brits as possible will get out in their gardens and help make things a little better together.
“We know wild birds matter so much to wilko shoppers, with bird food amongst one of our best selling products throughout the year, and we know that many will be quick to respond to the RSPB’s call for help.”
Swifts (Apus Apus) are protected by law and on the UK's red list - meaning they are most in need of help.
Modern house designs and alterations made to some older domestic properties mean that fewer potential nesting sites are now available to these birds.
This has been noted by Brigg Town Council which has a praiseworthy programme to help nesting birds and rooting bats.

PICTURED: A swift in flight, a section of Grammar School Road (top right) where these birds can often be seen during the summer and Central Square/East Parade in the early 1970s where some swifts can still be observed.