On 1 March 2025, volunteers from Boston Manor Park will lead activities to introduce England’s incredible Swifts. Local projects from Ealing and Hounslow will also show how they support them. You can see fantastic pictures, enjoy some related story telling, and even make a swift mobile.
Both Wild Chiswick and Ealing Wildlife Group run projects to support Swifts in the local area. They will be there to provide more information. The session is on Saturday 1 March at 2pm. Meet by the Hub in Boston Manor Park and event coordinator is Natasha Gavin. More information on Facebook event.
Boston Manor Monthly Bird Walk and Survey
Also on Saturday 1 March is their free monthly bird walk and survey. The walk starts at 8.30 until 10am so meet on the lake platform. Take a leisurely walk around the park to record numbers and species of birds in the park. No experience necessary but bring binoculars if you have them. For full details see the Facebook event.
Why are Swifts Amazing
“They are not related to swallows or house martins, in fact, their nearest relative is the humming bird. The only time a swift comes to land is when it is nesting. They eat, drink, mate and even sleep when flying. They are migratory birds and fly all the way from Equatorial Africa to nest here and can be seen and heard in our skies from May to August. This is a flight of 14,000 miles. They are the fastest flying bird in the world in level flight, having been recorded at 69.3mph”. Wild Chiswick
“Swifts are known for their remarkable aerial acrobatics and their migratory journeys that span thousands of miles. However, their numbers have significantly dwindled due to the loss of suitable nesting sites. To combat this issue, Ealing Wildlife Group (EWG) is running a Swift project aimed at providing vital nesting spaces for these magnificent birds. By installing 160 Swift boxes across Ealing, the project has made remarkable progress in helping the Swifts by providing nesting sites”. Ealing Wildlife Group
How can you help swifts?
Come along to the Boston Manor Park event. You will learn about nesting boxes, and maybe you could accommodate swift boxes in your garden or recommend a location. For more information on Saving our Swifts from Ealing Wildlife Group.
About Boston Manor Park
Boston Manor Park is the largest green open space in Brentford with 34 acres of historic park, woodland, lake and meadow. It is the setting for the fantastic Grade I listed Boston Manor House. The beautiful grounds gently slope down to the nearby River Brent and Grand Union Canal.
The parkland includes a large historic ornamental pond, fine old cedar trees, a nature trail, and a children’s playground. Recent additions to the park include a wildflower meadow, and the restoration of the walled garden.
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