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| Swifts migrating over Grimsby |
AN unlikely saviour has emerged for a rapidly-declining North East Lincolnshire bird.
Swifts - summer visitors from southern Africa - used to be a common sight, wheeling high in the skies above Cleethorpes, Grimsby, Immingham and adjacent villages.
St James' Church in Grimsby was a particular breeding stronghold.
But they are now lost to the church and many parts of the area - partly because there are fewer flying insects and partly because the roof spaces under the eaves of houses are now increasingly no longer available, leaving them without nesting spaces.
Now housebuilder Barratt Homes aims to reverse the trend by installing at least 63 'swift bricks' high onsome of the properties at its new development off Louth Road at Waltham Tollbar.
In advisory note to its contractors, it says: "Manthorpe swift nesting bricks should be located high within the gable wall of the property, ideally at five metres high and above and over the level of the insulation zone.
"Where possible, they should be installed in locations that are unlikely to receive large amounts of direct sunlight during the hottest times of the day.
"Ideal places include below the overhang of the verge and barge board."
As part of its Nature-friendly strategy, the FTSE 100-listed company also intends to install a few bat boxes.
In addition, all enclosed garden areas will have hedgehog ‘cut-outs’ in walls and fences to allow the spikey creatures to roam.
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