Swifts are brilliant!
Last updated | 19/05/2008
As part of Scottish Biodiversity Week (17-25 May 2008), 30 natural history events are taking place across Tayside, including a special guided walk in Dunning this Friday, 23 May, led by Perth & Kinross Council's Countryside Rangers.
‘Swifts are Brilliant!’ will give participants the chance to find out how they can help swifts, with more information about these brilliant birds and a simple, fun training session showing how easy it is to carry out a swift survey in their own village or town.
The surveys are particularly important as swift numbers have dropped dramatically in recent years, making it essential to know where they nest. Members of the public are being asked to report any sightings of the birds, as well as their nest sites.
Countryside Ranger Daniele Muir said: "We have had a fantastic response in previous years to requests from the public to report their swift sightings and nest locations. Our thanks go to everyone who has taken part in recent years and we would encourage them to keep on reporting their sightings this year to help us continue to build up a database of information. This walk is a good opportunity to find out the difference between swifts, swallows and martins, see examples of previous nest sites, and discover what amazing birds swifts really are. The survey is very easy to carry out, and forms will be available for people to take away on the day."
For more details about the walk and swift survey, and to book a place on this free event, please phone 01738 475349. Further information is also available on the Tayside Biodiversity Partnership website, http://www.taysidebiodiversity.co.uk under 'Species – Swifts', including an on-line recording form.
