Swift bricks are becoming more common in planning conditions, ecology reports and Local Plans, with some local authorities such as Brighton & Hove requiring swift bricks in almost all suitable new developments awarded planning permission. However, artificial nest cups (ANCs) are still a rarity, and there are a few reasons for this which I’ll explain...

Last year our swift group purchased some nest cups from Paul Stevens, to try and boost some of our local house martin colonies. We were delighted to hear from Paul Gorton north of Bury that the birds on his house had their best season in years! Paul told us that in the two natural nests,...