St Matthews Church in Sutton Bridge is hoping for some swift visitors that stay the whole summer this year.
Amid lessening numbers of swifts visiting the UK, parishioners have helped organise nesting boxes for the birds in the church tower.
Cameras with night vision have also been installed in the boxes which will broadcast live to a monitor in the church and on a specially dedicated website that’s to be launched.
Project leader Lesley Robinson said: “With so few swifts arriving, our summers are becoming more silent each year.
“Our swift population dramatically halves every 20 years!
“These extraordinary birds return to the UK during May but sadly habitat loss, intensive farming and householders war on nesting sites have increased their demise.
“When outside viewing our pretty village church, look up at the tower.
“Fixed behind the louvres are boxes specifically designed for these amazing summer visitors. Swifts are able to fly into the boxes through the spaces between the louvres.”
To mark Swift Awareness Week later this year, St Matthews will be hosting its first ever Nature Watch Day on June 23.
It will take place in the church grounds between 10am and 4pm and will include a host of stalls, a variety of things to do for all ages and a range of refreshments.
Lesley will also be giving an illustrated talk on swifts and the church’s ongoing conservation projects in the church
at 2pm.
