Its robust materials and precise design offer excellent insulation, providing a cozy and secure space for swifts to thrive. Designed with the nesting requirements of swifts in mind, this box features a ladder entrance to help Swifts enter the box. The internal design mimics the dark, enclosed spaces that swifts prefer for nesting, encouraging their return year after year. There is an internal nesting cup, filled with sterile feathers (rescued from what otherwise would be waste).
This box is bat-back compatible.
Hanging Instructions
Detailed instructions will come with your box.
Screw the mounting plate in the appropriate position (look at the plate and follow the arrow). This will be a horizontal orientation. Mount at least 2cm below the top of where the box will be. Use screws suitable for the material of the wall.
You can then hook the box onto the mounting plate.
When the box is ‘hung’ on the mounting plate, look in the interior of the box.
Screw the box to the mounting plate with the screws provided. The box should now be secure.
Placement Advice:
Swifts prefer their nesting sites as high up as possible. Preferably 5m+, however they have been known to nest as low as 1.5m.
Make sure that the swifts have a good, clear approach both below and in front of nesting sites, avoiding obstacles like tree branches and telephone wires.
Ideally the boxes should be placed on North, East or West walls. The boxes should be positioned out of direct, prolonged sun.
Our boxes can be placed on South facing walls if necessary as the material is 18mm thick and there are ventilation holes on the rear of the box to prevent overheating.
Care & Maintenance
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There is no need to treat or paint the boxes prior to putting them up. If you want to paint the box, we suggest using a water-based, non-toxic paint. Please do not paint over the dark circles on swift boxes - these are visual clues to swifts that there is a nesting cavity.
We suggest inspecting the box once a year when you are very confident there are no nesting birds using it.
To clean the box, only if needed:
Sweep out any leaf litter or pellets from the base of the box.
Using a weak solution of dish soap and warm water, wipe the whole box down, making sure to clean in the corners.
Make sure the box is dry before replacing any substrate on the box floor.
This is done to ensure any pests or diseases carried by nesting birds are eliminated.
To maintain the box:
While your box is down for a clean, inspect all sides and joints for any damage.
If, in the unlikely event of any cracks, fill with wood filler and make sure this dries fully.
Inspect the mounting plate and fixings before remounting the box.
