Guildford Swift Project

13/10/2026

It was a joy to be back running the Guildford Swift Project stall again and meeting with the residents of Onslow Village at their 'Peoples Emergency Briefing' film showing. The event was organised by Alison from eco church and Zero Carbon Guildford (ZCG) and the Onslow Village Residents Association (OVRA). The film is a powerful look at Climate Change, what scientists are saying and showing the state of Emergency that it is, and asking our Government to have a Climate Change Emergency National Briefing telivised on our TV's a bit like we did when we had Covid. With updates and resilience advice etc.
We shared the evening with other projects from ZCG , and we each gave a short talk on our projects after the film, including Alex from Water Rangers, Jo from Zero Community Fridge, and Sam from Zero with Surrey Home Energy Advice Team and the Zero Bike 😉🚵‍♂️
The Swift stall was very busy talking to lots of interested people and some who's houses are not suitable for boxes have kindly offered to donate a box to be used . We are also excited about our Swift Street that will be coming together in Onslow Village.

27/09/2026

Please sign and share. At every step of this process, this campaign, Banstead and Dorking have had to fight for answers , to ask for Freedom of information. Why is this information not forthcoming, that is a scandal in itself, let alone the obvious crime that unfolded here. Please help support Banstead Swifts who are working so hard on this case for justice. We all want Swifts to be protected, we all want the authorities and private companies to follow the law and when its not, we want action and that law enforced.

We became involved because Regent House in Dorking was a known nesting site for Common Swifts - birds that return to the same nesting places year after year. When demolition moved into the 2026 breeding season, we were deeply concerned that the safeguards intended to protect nesting birds had not be...

21/09/2026

We had a great day on Saturday at Onslow Village Autumn Fair 🍂 at All Saints Church . Lots of people came and spoke to us on the stall and entered the quiz . A local person won a free Swift box. We were filmed and interviewed by Guildford Community Board FB. We met some of the local people that will be involved with the next Swift Street we will be doing in Onslow Village . We had a blast! Many thanks to Lauren for her support on the day and thanks to Alison for inviting the project to the fair 😀

05/09/2026

Final rehabilitated Swift of this season realised by our local Swift Rehabber Helena. Realised on the 28th of August 2026.
May i introduce you to this amazing Swift named Hayes 2.
It had originally arrived into rehab care weighing only 17g, when it should have weighed 35 grams. It took 21 days to get it to flight weight and size. There were two failed flight tests for this bird, hence necessitating the big ladder to give it an extra lift. It was a big relief to see it fly away . A red circle is given so you can follow its flight path, down, then up, then south. 😁😇🤗

First flight of swift fledgling Hayes II, on 28 August 2026

04/09/2026

A lovely glimps at Will Nash the Artist and GBC, short film, celebrating the fact that a breeding pair of swifts have finally occupied the Shalford Swift Tower this summer 2026. Last year i observed a single Swift roosting in the Tower, so we crossed our fingers it would find a mate and return this year and sure enough it did! Never give up on getting Swifts in your boxes or Tower's, some times it happens quick and sometimes it takes quite a few years.
Many thanks to the Shalford environment group, who helped myself and Tom Child’s the SANGS officer from GBC, monitor the Shalford Tower this year. We will continue to do so , each Swift Season and keep you updated.

01/09/2026

Quick update on the Storks.

01/09/2026

Introducing the AfS Swift’s Nest Here Sign ✨

A beautiful, durable galvanised steel sign to proudly let the world know that your home is a swift-friendly one. Whether you’ve had swifts nesting for years or you’re just getting started, this is the perfect way to show your support and spread the word in your street and community.

Because the more people know about swifts, the more people want to help them. 💚

A huge thank you to the brilliant Norwich Swift Network for coming up with the design concept behind this sign — a fantastic example of the swift conservation community working together! 🙌

🗓️ Available from September — and you can pre-order yours right now!

30/08/2026

A lot of chicks were lost in the heat this year. Can you help ?

We're raising £2,000 to help specialist wildlife rescuers care for fallen swift chicks affected by summer heatwaves.

30/08/2026

Finishing off our project at Royal Holloway University. Looking forward to developing links in the future with the University. Many thanks for all the support and enthusiasm from Dr Rebecca Thomas , Associate Professor in Ecology and Conservation, Department of Biological Sciences.