More Swift nest-boxes in Hooky!

Photo credit: Abby Eaton & Swift Conservation

In November 2025 we held a social media campaign to raise awareness of the need for more Swift nest-boxes in Hook Norton, and I am pleased to report that 17 households volunteered to have a nest box fitted onto their house. Chris Mason from Cherwell Swifts and Catherine from Hooky in Harmony visited each house to check it was suitable. It is important that the box can be situated a good height from the ground, otherwise when the chicks fledge they do not have enough time to fly before getting too close to the ground. For the adults to feed the chicks, the nest-box approach should not have too many obstructions and careful placement is needed to prevent the full summer sun causing the chicks to over-heat in the box. 14 properties were found to be suitable and arrangements are now under way for the nest-boxes to be fitted. Hopefully this will help our Swift population to flourish!