Swift Bricks - Durable, no maintenance, low cost

Easy to install Swift nest places For a surprisingly modest outlay you can create very long lasting Swift nest places   On the left is the Schwegler Swift Brick, probably the first such nestbox. Made of a type of concrete, it has a hollow interior for the Swifts to nest in. It measures 180mm high, 265mm wide, and is 220mm deep. Similar versions are available from other manufacturers. On the right is a pile of UK-made "S" Bricks. They can be made to match any brick or stone, they can also be made to match any brick size. They come in three versions: synthetic board and brick, galvanised steel and brick, and a type suitable for rendered and pebble dash walls. Use them in blockwork or brickwork walls, ideally as the top course, or placed high in gables, flank walls and ends of terraces. If you have enough space, you can make patterns from these bricks. Try and space them from 50cm to 100cm apart.   Your new nest-places should be out of direct sunlight or else shaded beneath broad eaves. They should be 5 metres or more above ground. They should not be obstructed by nearby trees, window cleaning rigs, ladders, walkways, cables, or creepers. Install 2 to 4 Swift Bricks on a medium to large house, from 4 to 10 on a small block of flats, and 10 to 40 on a large site like a school, hospital or warehouse, a factory or a major apartment development. Install them in a straight line, or in a pattern, under the eaves or across a vertical wall, away from windows. They should not need any maintenance nor cleaning. Don't worry about the Swifts making a mess. Swifts are very clean and they will not leave those piles of droppings that Feral Pigeons do. Click here to visit our Shopping page and view and order Swift Bricks and nest boxes The Universal Swift Brick - ideal choice for supporting Swift, Sparrows and other small hole-nesting birds Click here to download a mini-catalogue of Swift Bricks plus Instructions on their installation Need help? We provide Europe - wide advice services - for further information contact Swift Conservation Some examples of Swift Brick installations Photos © Edward Mayer & EcoSurv Ltd. Above left - Schwegler Swift Bricks installed at Terry Farrell's Swiss Cottage Sports Centre, London NW3, designed and built for Camden Council. Camden were keen to have Swifts breeding at this site to bring some wildlife to a busy urban area. They asked Swift Conservation to specify and supervise the design and installation of these nest places. It's normal practice to hide these bricks behind rendering, pebble dash, or even tile and stone facings. All that is necessary is that the entrance hole is exposed for the Swifts to gain access. Middle photo above shows a successful "S" Brick inserted flush into the brickwork of the gable of this dwelling house. You can see the chick peeking out. On the right above are Schwegler Swift Bricks installed at the Notting Hill Housing Trust / Barnet Council sheltered housing project at New Barnet, North London. Local residents asked Swift Conservation to help them establish nest places for Swifts in the new building, so that existing birds would not become homeless following demolition of the former buildings on this site. Typical Swift Bricks installation Back to Contents