Information for Roofers

Why we need your help

Re-roofing, roof repairs and insulation work are destroying swifts’ nesting places. Swift pairs return to the same nest every year and sadly, they will often go on trying to get into blocked holes until they break their wings and die.
The National Federation of Roofing Contractors recommend ‘swift friendly’ roofing methods as best practice in their guidance here.
Swifts make very little noise or mess – the adults clear up their chicks’ waste. Most people don’t even know their house has swifts nesting in it.

Here’s a video for homeowners that we think you might also find useful.

Why save swifts?

Being a ‘swift friendly’ roofing contractor will grow your business, and help save our swifts from extinction.

The national Biodiversity Net Gain strategy becomes law later this year. Sheffield City Council’s Planning Dept. will have to enforce a 10% improvement for wildlife in planning applications. Making spaces for swifts to nest, is one of the suggested improvement measures.

Developers and homeowners will need firms with these skills, be one of them.

As Swift numbers suffer catastrophic 60% declines in just 20 years, attention is turning to current roofing and building practice as the main cause.

These negative headlines haven’t gone unnoticed by an increasing number of homeowners, for example, those with an RSPB or National Trust membership and money to spend.

Negative headlines aren’t good for business – make your firm stand apart.

How will it make a difference to your business?

Becoming a company, skilled in ‘swift friendly’ roofing practices as the world wakes up to a biodiversity crisis and the real possibility of the extinction of this incredible ‘red Listed’ bird, won’t do your business any harm, and we are asked to recommend companies on an almost daily basis.

Get in touch. We have a combined membership of well over 1000 proactive followers in Sheffield alone, and we are regularly featured in local and national press, on BBC radio, on-line news outlets and social media platforms. Sheffield Swift Network could add you to our preferred traders list and feature your company in our publicity campaigns.

How can you help?

By looking for nests:

in open eaves
in holes in walls where pipes have been removed
under flashings around chimneys and skylights
in gables behind barge boards and on the brick ends
under roof tiles which are loose or displaced
on the roof timbers or felt
where pointing has been washed out

Do remember it’s an offence under UK and EU legislation to interfere with nests during swifts’ breeding season May – September.

What are the basics?

For technical drawings and photographs click here.

If re-roofing or replacing soffits & bargeboards, make new access holes to match the old ones exactly.

Hole nests – where they’re not going to be a problem just leave old holes. You can fit a tile into the pointing above to form a ledge to keep the rain out.

Behind flashings – offset or lengthen flashings and ridge/end tiles to let the Swifts back in without affecting weatherproofing.

Inside gables – either leave well alone or else fit simple wooden nest places behind the bargeboards (downloadable leaflet below):

Download

Soffits & barge boards – Where buildings have wide eaves and timber or UPVC ‘boxed soffits’ (IE internally separated from the roof space), you do not need to install separate nest boxes. Just drill 28 x 65mm holes in the soffit between the internal timber supports, and you create a Swift nest! Drilling holes into your soffits is a great way to provide sheltered space for swifts. Click here for more information.

Under tiles – Reinstate the tiles keeping the old gaps where the swifts gained entry exactly where they were. For more ideas click here.

Under eaves and Fascia – Install a SWIFT NESTING BRICK. These bricks typically encroach or span the cavity wall and should be placed under eaves or fascia boards to provide additional shelter and be positioned as close to the old entrance as possible.
Here’s more information on swift bricks by NHBS and About Roofing.

Roofing felt – If fitting new roofing felt / breathable membrane, PLEASE ONLY USE TYPE 1F MEMBRANE. Neaten and secure all edges above the swift nest sites so that no threads are left dangling, as swifts can get their claws caught in these.

What not to use, as they block access for swifts

UPVC Box Soffits (unless 28x65mm holes have been drilled 1 metre apart)
Dry verge (end caps) on gable ends and apex roofs
Eaves Comb Fillers (roof combs or brushes)
Breathable Roof Membranes, as swifts can get their claws tangled in them – use only Type 1F.

Sheffield Swift Network

Taking action to help swifts across the city of Sheffield