Yorkshire Housing have been doing their bit to help with the survival of the Swift, an enigmatic bird that spends most of its life in the air - Swifts feed, drink, bath and even sleep on the wing, only landing to nest.
As older buildings are being repaired or replaced, Swifts are losing vital nesting habitat like roof spaces where they have nested for many years, leading to a steep decline in population and swifts being moved on to the amber list by the RSPB.
Yorkshire housing has been working with Helmsley Swifts to put Swift-friendly bird boxes onto all houses which are repaired, creating much needed habitat and nesting site options.
Ian Kibble from Helmsley Swifts, said:
“Swift numbers are declining and have done over the past 20 years. By working with Yorkshire Housing we have been able to replace some of the nest sites all over Helmsley. Swifts have already been prospecting the bird boxes in Elmslac Road, so the future looks very encouraging.”