A conspicuous tower was erected near the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital to encourage Swifts to nest.
The seven meter high steel tower was designed and manufactured by award-winning sculptor Will Nash. It has 12 nest boxes for 24 Swifts and their chicks.
On behalf of Norwich developer RG Carter, it is now on Rosalind Franklin Road at the entrance to the recently completed parking garage.
An audio system was installed to play recorded quick calls and encourage the birds to nest in the structure.
The fast nesting tower, commissioned by Norwich developers RG Carter, is now at the entrance to the recently completed parking garage.
– Credit: Will Nash
The Sussex based artist specializes in creating bespoke habitable sculptures. His most recent work across the UK has included a hollow stone structure with room for bats and a seat with a habitat for beetles and small creatures.
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He said, “The challenge of creating a work of art that would also be a viable habitat for a particular bird drew me to the project.
“Swifts ideally need a drop of at least six meters from their nest, so the tower had to be quite high.”
Artist Will Nash said he was drawn to the project of creating a work of art that would also be a viable habitat for Swifts.
– Credit: Will Nash
Swifts return to the UK in late April to nest before migrating through France and Spain in September to spend the winter in Africa.
Their numbers are declining, partly due to habitat loss.
As a species, they evolved to rely on human architecture, particularly the eaves of houses, to nest in. But if we make our houses more airtight, they will have fewer places to nest.
The fast nesting tower is built.
– Credit: Will Nash
A petition was recently launched calling on Norwich City Council to consider the nesting habits of Swifts and other small birds in new housing developments.
Some developments use quick stones – specially designed stones with holes drilled out to provide just enough space for a faster or similar sized bird to find a home.
The Nesting Tower has an audio system for playing back recorded quick calls.
– Credit: Will Nash
The Norwich Tower is made of birch plywood, but its exterior is made of larch, which is traditionally used to clad houses
Mr. Nash said, “The shape of the tower was derived from various sources, including the need to have multiple eaves. This led to an organic form with an ecological function. “
Fast numbers are falling due to habitat loss.
– Photo credit: Oscar Dewhurst
Fact File – Swifts
- There are currently an estimated 87,000 Swift pairs in the UK. They nest from late April to early August each year as part of an annual migration of 14,000 miles.
- It is the fastest bird in the world in level flight, reaching speeds of over 69 miles per hour. They fly continuously day and night and only land to brood each year.
- Swifts can fly nearly 500 miles in a day and 1.25 million miles in their lifetime. After leaving their nest for the first time, they fly non-stop for up to three years, but always return to their place of birth to mate.
- The average lifespan of a Swift is six years, but the oldest registered Swift was at least 21 years.
- When feeding chicks, an adult Swift can collect 1,000 insects in its throat at a time – a journey that is repeated up to 100 times a day.
