It was great to see so many people come along to last night’s Making Space for Swifts and House Martins event in Charlton Kings.
The evening brought together local residents curious about these familiar summer birds, keen to understand why their numbers are falling and what practical things we can do locally to help. There was a real buzz in the room, with lots of people interested in putting up nest boxes and getting involved in other ways.
Cheltenham Action for Nature helped support the event by connecting people, sorting the venue, ticketing and design, and generally helping things come together – but it was very much driven by local interest and enthusiasm.
We were lucky to hear a really engaging talk from local expert Tom Mabbett, who explained what’s happening to swifts and house martins and why Charlton Kings matters for them. Brian from the Winchcombe Swift Group also came along to share his experience and offer practical advice, which added a lot to the discussion.
It was genuinely encouraging to see so much interest and energy, and we’re excited by the prospect of lots more swift and house martin boxes going up locally as a result.
A big thank you to everyone who came along – and watch this space for next steps.
For more information about the group or to get involved, visit their Facebook group page, or email them at shmsgck@gmail.com.
