How pints of Swifty Ale funded new nesting homes at Lowedges Primary Academy in south-west Sheffield
Three built-in swift bricks and a swift attraction caller have been installed at Lowedges Primary Academy, creating safe nesting spaces for returning birds in future summers. Fitted by experienced installer Jan from local company Nestworks, the bricks blend seamlessly with the building. The caller is played outside classroom hours to attract passing swifts, delighting everyone eager to see wildlife using the school buildings.
Funded by pints of Swifty Ale!
The project was made possible thanks to sales of Swifty Ale, brewed by Abbeydale Brewery as a charity beer in partnership with Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust. Ten percent of proceeds from Swifty Ale, kindly donated by the Trust to Sheffield Swift Network, helped cover the cost of the swift bricks, caller and installation at the school.
Inspiring the next generation
Before the bricks were fitted in late May, pupils from the school’s Eco Group, along with Deputy Head Emily Vesty, enjoyed a talk from Julie and Richard Gay of the S17 Totley Swifts group about the lives of swifts and why nest sites are so important. The Eco Group pupils were an enthusiastic audience, full of questions and clearly excited to be helping swifts find new homes at their own school.
Could your school help Sheffield’s young swifts?
We offer free school talks and site assessments to help create swift nesting opportunities. We can advise on suitable artificial nest locations and introduce pupils to swifts and why nest sites matter. As a small charity, we can’t fund boxes, bricks or installation, but we can help choose products and support ordering once funding is secured.
Download our schools PDF below – or get in touch to discuss options:
Get in touch:
Sheffield Swift Network
📧 sheffieldswiftnetwork@gmail.com
🌐 sheffieldswiftnetwork.org
📞 07850 799 891
Sheffield Swift Network 