34 new nesting chambers for Swifts in Sheffield City Centre

Sheffield Hallam University will soon open a suite of new buildings running up Howard Street in the City Centre.
When plans for the buildings were first being developed, members of the Sheffield Swift Network – who also work for Hallam – saw an opportunity….

The new buildings are nice and tall and, on some sides, they have an unobstructed approach, so could be perfect for Swifts.

Although it’s not common for Swifts to be seen over the City Centre, there are established colonies close by in the Norfolk Road area and the estates of south Sheffield (Wybourn, Arbourthorne etc). It therefore seemed possible that, with the right accommodation waiting for them, and the possibility of installing a swift caller, we might be able to attract them to nest at Hallam.

The architects finalising the details for the scheme were happy to indulge us, and we had a really productive chat about the best way to integrate nesting opportunities into the new scheme. Due to the construction style (using brick slips), the favoured approach of swift bricks wasn’t possible, so we plumped for Impeckable multi-chamber nest boxes fixed to the exterior.

We identified the best aspects for locating the boxes, where they wouldn’t get overheated and where the approach was unobstructed (so Swifts could swoop in). Due to the lack of shade in the area, we opted to add sun shields to the boxes.

34 nesting chambers have been installed in the new buildings, which are soon to be opened. Look up as you wander down Howard Street and you will see them. Hopefully the Swifts will approve of them too.