Swallow & swift nest plans enquiry

mr.wiggle

Hi all,
I wonder does anyone have any links to plans for building your own bird boxes for swifts and swallows.? Am i correct in thinking that swallows will only nest indoors here...can i put a box up on my eaves for them, as i've no outbuildings they can nest in?
edit - i meant to include House Martins in this too..

Zoo4m8

mr.wiggle wrote: »

Hi all,
I wonder does anyone have any links to plans for building your own bird boxes for swifts and swallows.? Am i correct in thinking that swallows will only nest indoors here...can i put a box up on my eaves for them, as i've no outbuildings they can nest in?
edit - i meant to include House Martins in this too..

Swiftconservation.ie should give you all the info you need, you are correct Swallows only nest indoors..House Martins nest outdoors under eaves and artificial nests are available, try Birdwatch Ireland for starters..

OpenYourEyes

See here for a report from BirdWatch Ireland about Swift conservation including boxes etc: https://birdwatchireland.ie/publications/saving-swifts-guide/

jmkennedyie

Boxes for swifts absolutely, but have a think if you can get power supply for speaker beside nest entrance holes if there are no swifts there already.

Just regarding Swallows, they build up a mud nest on a dry ledge under a bit of shelter...so typically on top of an internal wall or on a beam or pipework or light fitting etc under a porch or barn roof etc. Bonus marks if cats can't get up to it. So the good news is you don't really need to build nest boxes for swallows. The bad news is you might need to build a new barn, or internal walls/ledges

mr.wiggle

Thx folks..