40 SCHWEGLER
» SWIFT NEST BOX No. 17, single cavity
This model has been used very successfully throughout the whole of Europe for 30 years. The particularly lightweight
nest box made of 100% asbestos-free vegetable fi bre-reinforced concrete is ideally suited for installation
on low-strength façades (insulation, sheathing, etc.). Supplied with U-shaped, flexible hanger made of perforated
steel strip and fi xing materials (see sketch). The box can also be inserted / plastered in the masonry without a
hanger.
General information on Swifts (Apus apus) Swifts are uniquely adapted to life on the wing. They are mainly known and popular when a large
number of them fl y through our towns and cities on a warm summer evening, hunting for fl ying insects. During the summer months Swifts spend just four
months in Europe, where they can be found all over the continent. They normally breed up to around 1,000 m above sea level. Winters are always spent
south of the Sahara, for example, at the "Cape of Good Hope" in South Africa.
Once they have been accepted, breeding sites are used by the same pair for many years, which means that removal of these roosts constitutes a serious
threat to the Birds, as their familiar breeding site is missing on their return. Swifts are very social animals, so that colonies can form with any number of
Birds. It is therefore advantageous if several nesting aids are installed. In principle a Swift pair occupies a nesting aid for one annual brood.
The survival of the Swift in our towns and cities is now under threat. This Bird species occupies niches and voices on all kinds of buildings. These places
are often destroyed, blocked or at least made uninhabitable by building renovations or new buildings. SCHWEGLER replacement roosts can be used
to create a very successful remedy. You can paint our nest boxes at any time with breathable paint to match the colour of the building façade. Please
ensure that you only use paint that is "breathable".
» SWIFT NEST BOX SERIES, TYPE NO. 17
Our tried and tested Swift Boxes have been used successfully throughout
Europe for decades. The lightweight boxes are especially suitable for retrofi
tting on external façades. Alternatively, they can also be installed directly
in a façade.
Material: Certifi ed, asbestos-free, vegetable fi bre-reinforced concrete and
SCHWEGLER wood-concrete. Galvanised fi xing elements.
Installation: The entrance should be a minimum height of 6 to 7 m above
the ground or protruding parts of buildings. Greater heights are possible at
any time. It is very important to ensure that there are no protruding parts,
roof parts, pipes, etc. below the entrance, as Swifts approach and fl y away
very steeply. Therefore, the area under the entrance should be unobstructed
and lead directly to the ground. It is advantageous and we expressly recommend that several nesting aids be installed for the formation of Swift colonies.
Swifts do not need a minimum distance from fellow species - nesting
boxes can therefore be positioned directly next to each other.
Suitable positions: On external façades or under the roofs of all kinds of
buildings, for example, houses, industrial buildings, churches, road structures, walls or even cliffs and rock faces.
Cleaning and inspection: The Type 17 boxes can be cleaned after the
entrance rose has been removed. To this end, the entrance is turned through
90° (entrance hole vertical) and is removed. But in general it is not necessary to clean the boxes if they are used by Swifts. The Swift nest is always
made in the darkest corner of the roost and away from the entrance hole.
Colour matching: Type 17 nesting aids are supplied in natural grey.
They can be matched to the background colour by painting them with
breathable paint.
Versions without removable rose: On request we can also supply
you with these boxes without a cleaning opening, i.e. with an elongated
30 x 70 mm hole only. Please ask if required.
Optionally, the Swift Boxes can be ordered with entrance for Sparrows (see
page 41) or entrance openings for rock shelter occupants.
VV Swift in the nest VV Installation example
Swift Nest Box Series, Type No. 17
External dim.: H 15 x D 21 x L 34 cm
plus wing screws.
Brood chamber:
H 14 x D 20 x L 30 cm.
Weight: approx. 4.8 kg.
Order No. 00 610/3
» SWIFT NEST BOX No. 17C, double cavity
Like type No. 17 and 17A; however with two brood chambers.
External dim.: H 15 x D 15 x L 66 cm
plus wing screws.
Brood chamber:
H 14 x D 14 x L 30 cm.
Weight: approx. 5.5 kg.
Order No. 00 607/3
VV Fixing bracket No. 17A/B/C
VV Fixing bracket
VV Removable Rose
VV Bricked-in installation example
BIRD CONSERVATION ON BUILDINGS