Laois County Council

Tag: Swifts

  • Swifts fly high in Mountmellick

    Swifts fly high in Mountmellick

    Launch of mural in Mountmellick celebrating Swifts for Laois Culture Night

    For Culture Night Laois on Friday, September 23rd, Creative Ireland Laois, Laois County Council Heritage Office and BirdWatch Ireland launch a street mural by artist, James Kirwan to celebrate Ireland’s threatened Swift (Apus apus). The mural is located at the gable end of the Gearoid Horan’s building on Patrick Street, Mountmellick and is adjacent to Mountmellick Community School.

    The Swift is a small migratory bird which arrives in Ireland to breed from Africa in May and departs by August each year. Although similar in appearance to Swallows and Martins, the Swift’s nearest relatives are thought to be the Hummingbirds, native to North and South America.

    Catherine Casey Heritage Office for Laois County Council said:

    “We are delighted to be launching this wonderful mural as part of Culture Night as it represents the coming together of the biodiversity of Laois through the Swift and the creative artistic side of the county through the medium of street art. As Swifts are such an urban bird, living in our towns and villages, I can’t think of a better subject for a large scale street mural. This project will rise awareness of the importance of Mountmellick for swifts and also the other work being done to survey and conserve swifts across Laois, with the support of the Heritage Council and the Local Biodiversity Action Fund.”The Swift’s scientific name Apus apus means ‘without feet’ which refers to the Swift’s short legs rather than to any lack of feet. Swift’s legs and feet are adapted to cling to vertical surfaces rather than perching on wires and walking on the ground. If they find themselves on the ground, it can be difficult for them to take off again.

    BirdWatch Ireland’s Ricky Whelan with street artist, James Kirwan at Coffee Notions, Mountmellick, September 2022

    Swifts are more common in urban areas, building small, cupped nests in small crevices in buildings, as well as in the eaves of houses. Swifts pair for life and return to the same nest site for many years. They spend most of their life in flight, drinking, feeding, mating and evening sleeping in the air.

    Mountmellick native Ricky Whelan of BirdWatch Ireland said:

    “Mountmellick has a wonderful cultural heritage and I am so proud to see its rich natural heritage enshrined by the Swift mural. Mountmellick is a stronghold within county Laois for these charismatic and threatened birds which is something we should all celebrate and be vigilant to protect into the future.”

    Swifts are among the fastest of birds with Ireland’s Swift able to reach speeds of over 110km per hour. The average Swift weights about 40 grams – the same weight as a Cadbury’s Crème Egg! They feed on airborne invertebrates (spiders, flies and small insects) captured in flights. The Swift’s call is a loud, piercing scream and Swifts will often form ‘screaming parties’ on summer evenings, when ten to twenty Swifts will gather in a group flight above their nesting area, calling out to each other excitedly.

    Street Artist, James Kirwan said

    “From the moment Creative Ireland Laois reached out to me about this mural project, I was very interested and excited, especially because I am a huge fan of Swifts. I had also recently listened to Ricky Whelan’s and Niall Hatch’s ‘In Your Nature’ podcast on Swifts, so it is an added bonus to work closely with Ricky and learn even more about these fascinating birds. To be an artist who gets to paint a mural about the conservation of swifts is an honour and it goes without saying that I am wholeheartedly looking forward to being in Mountmellick and creating this mural that highlights the uniqueness of this bird”.

     

    Wexford-born James Kirwan is an experienced artist based in Dublin. His work has been showcased in solo and group exhibitions, and his mural work has been seen as far away as Canada. James has worked extensively in Ireland too, with recent work appearing in Gorey, Waterford, Thurles and Dublin. James’ work is often made with bold colours, with a mix of playful abstract forms and references to the natural world and landscapes.

     

    James has a keen interest in the importance of the protection of birds and their habitats in Ireland. He brings this, in his distinctive style, in the stunning piece for Mountmellick’s Swift mural. In October, James is scheduled to return to Mountmellick to facilitate a creative workshop with art students in Mountmellick Community College which will explore his street artworks and techniques, and reflect his interest in nature, and his use of abstract shapes.

    The mural launch takes place on Fri Sept 23rd at 5.30pm at Mountmellick Community School. The Swift episode reissue is available at BirdWatch Ireland’s ‘In Your Nature’ podcast on Buzzsprout or any good podcast provider. ‘In Your Nature’ is produced in partnership with the Heritage Offices of Laois and Offaly County Councils, supported by the Heritage Council and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and is edited by Ann-Marie Kelly.

     

    Laois County Council and BirdWatch Ireland are very grateful to Gearoid Horan for giving permission for the use of his building for the mural, and also sincere gratitude for the support of Principal Larry Curtin and Deputy Principal Frances Kerry – La Rosa of Mountmellick Community School.

     

    The Mountmellick Swift Project mural is supported by Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme – in partnership with Laois County Council Heritage Office and BirdWatch Ireland.

  • Stradbally Community project enhances built and natural heritage

    Stradbally Community project enhances built and natural heritage

    A project led by the community in Stradbally  and Laois County Council is taking practical action to enhance the town’s wildlife and built heritage.

    Stradbally Community Development Association was granted funding in 2021 through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, for the conservation of the bridge at the centre of the town, public realm enhancements and actions to improve biodiversity.

    After a period of planning the project is now seeing visible action on the ground, with nest boxes for breeding swifts installed at strategic locations in the town this week. Swifts are a summer visitor to Ireland from Africa, a little bit larger than a swallow but blackish-brown all over, except for a small, white chin-patch, with a short tail and long, sickle-shaped wings Swifts in Ireland are in decline. We have lost  40% of our Swifts in the last ten years, according to BirdWatch Ireland. A survey carried out for Laois Heritage Office in 2018 highlighted the importance of Stradbally as a stronghold for swifts in the county.

     

    bird in flight
    A swift over Stradbally. Photo Alf Harvey

    Ricky Whelan of BirdWatch Ireland assisted the SCDA group with finding the best site for the new nest boxes and was there on Saturday to help with installation. He said “It’s fantastic to see Laois County Council and local communities collaborate to help this charismatic and endangered bird across County Laois. The swift boxes installed in Stradbally will increase nesting opportunities for swifts in the town and we hope that this will have a positive impact on the population locally. A Biodiversity Week walk held in Stradbally this week explored the swifts, swallows and house martins of the town, and it was great to see such interest from people from Stradbally and farther afield in these beautiful birds and how to help them. BirdWatch Ireland looks forward to working with the community of Stradbally in the coming years to enhance the town for all wildlife”.

    John O’Brien (Stradbally Community Development Association), Ann Simpson (Stradbally Tidy Towns) and Mary Rose Simpson (Building owner), with Ricky Whelan (Birdwatch Ireland) installation of swift nesting boxes in Stradbally, a Stradbally Community Development Association and Laois Heritage Office project, with the assistance of BirdWatch Ireland and funding from the Town and Village renewal Scheme

    John O’Brien, PRO Stradbally Community Development Association said “ The birds are singing and moving SWIFTLY in Stradbally especially on Main Street and Hunters Lane . Stradbally Tidy Towns and Stradbally Community Development Association are delighted to join forces to execute a project that will enhance the town’s wildlife and built heritage. Thank You so much to Pat Deegan Engineering , Stradbally and his Team for their expertise, time and hard work on Saturday morning”

    Building
    Pat Deegan installing swift nesting boxes in Stradbally, a Stradbally Community Development Association and Laois Heritage Office project, with the assistance of BirdWatch Ireland and funding from the Town and Village renewal Scheme. Photo Alf Harvey

     

    Ann Simpson, Chairperson Stradbally Community Development Association said “We are delighted to have the swift nest boxes installed in Stradbally, and we would like to thank in particular Fr Breen PP Stradbally for allowing us to put three nest boxes and a caller at the back of his house. We are all looking forward to watching our new residents arrive!”

     

    The nest boxes were installed in time for a Biodiversity Week walk in Stradbally and are part of an ongoing commitment to swifts by Laois County Council which has seen swift nest boxes installed in public buildings across the county, including the new Portlaoise Library, following the survey of swifts in Laois in 2018, and with the support of the Heritage Council and the Local Biodiversity Action Fund.

    group of people birdwatching in a town
    Ricky Whelan of BirdWatch Ireland leading a Biodiversity week Swift Walk in Stradbally organised by Laois Heritage Office. Photo Alf Harvey

    The project in Stradbally will also see biodiversity-friendly planting at strategic locations through the town, and a planting plan is currently being drawn up to guide this.

     

    Part of the project will also see conservation of the masonry of the main town bridge, including repointing and repair of the architecturally important early nineteenth century ashlar limestone piers and parapets, and conservation of the historic ironwork on the west side of the bridge. As the road on the bridge is a national primary route, consultation with Transport Infrastructure Ireland has been required, and reinstatement of railings on the east side of the bridge (removed many years ago) has been ruled out, for safety reasons, but the project will ensure the restoration of this important part of Stradbally’s heritage to its former glory.

    Bridge over the Stradbally River in Stradbally. Photo: Fred Hamond/Laois Heritage Office

    The Town and Village Renewal Scheme project in Stradbally also includes public realm improvements including installation of disability access parking, universal access seating and bicycle stands in the village.

     

    Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council, Conor Bergin, welcomed the progress in Stradbally and said “The funding provided by the Town and Village Renewal Scheme is very important in improving economic and social status of communities across Laois. The community section of Laois County Council works closely with local communities in developing and delivering these projects and I would like to commend all involved in Stradbally and communities across Laois who have taken advantage of these opportunities.”

    People birdwatching on a bridge
    Ricky Whelan of BirdWatch Ireland and Catherine Casey Laois Heritage Office at the Biodiversity week Swift Walk in Stradbally . Photo Alf Harvey
  • Local Authority Heritage Officers team up with BirdWatch Ireland to Save Swifts.

    Local Authority Heritage Officers team up with BirdWatch Ireland to Save Swifts.

    A new book to help communities save their swifts has been launched by BirdWatch Ireland and local authority Heritage Officers nationwide.

    Swifts are an iconic summer visitor to Ireland, arriving in early May following a long migration from southern Africa. Slightly larger than a swallow they are a ‘site faithful’ bird, returning generation after generation to buildings in towns and villages throughout Ireland to nest and raise young. Like many of our wild species however, Swifts are increasingly threatened through loss of nest sites and have suffered an alarming 40% population decline in the past decade. Problems arise when buildings are renovated or torn down removing the Swifts nest sites and sometimes huge nesting colonies can be lost overnight.

    The good news is that there are many practical steps that we can all take to make a difference, and the new guide ‘Saving Swifts’ produced by BirdWatch Ireland and local authority Heritage Officers is available to help. The guide, funded by the Department for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht as part of an initiative to encourage projects under the National Biodiversity Action Plan, contains all the information required for individuals, local groups, schools, businesses or government departments to play a role in helping this amazing and threatened species. The information is presented in a colourful and user-friendly format and includes details on Swift ecology; reasons for declines; suggested conservation measures; nest box plans, case studies and much more.

    Swifts nest in buildings where small gaps allow access to the roof space or cavities in masonry. Their chosen nest sites are often in older buildings which are sometimes dilapidated or in need of renovation. Awareness about the presence and requirements of Swifts is essential to ensuring that their nest sites are protected as part of renovation works. This typically involves timing works to take place from Sept to May. Also, there are many opportunities to create new nesting sites as part of new development through installing nest boxes or nesting bricks.

    Anna and Sarah Rothwell, Birr pictured at the launch of the new book “Saving Swifts” at Abbeyleix Library. The book is a joint publication of BirdWatch Ireland and the Local Authority Heritage Officer Network. Picture: Alf Harvey

    Ricky Whelan, Project Officer with BirdWatch Ireland said: “The Saving Swifts guide will go a long way to support groups from around the country to help their Swifts at a local level, feeding into the wider Swift conservation effort nationally. Swift surveys are planned in Sligo, Wicklow and Meath this year, following on from surveys in Offaly, Laois, Tipperary and Westmeath over the past few years, so we are getting a much better handle on the scientific side of where swifts are, and what they need.”

    Catherine Casey, Heritage Officer with Laois County Council said “It was wonderful to work with BirdWatch Ireland and Heritage Officers across the country on this guide to help communities look after their swifts, and we are also grateful to the many swift conservation groups around Ireland who helped with expertise and success stories for the book”.

    The Saving Swifts guide is available for free as a PDF download. Hard copies can be ordered from the Laois Heritage Officer.

    Dearbhala Ledwidge, Kilkenny Heritage officer; Catherine Casey, Laois Heritage officer and Ricky Whelan, Birdwatch Ireland pictured at the launch of the new book “Saving Swifts” at Abbeyleix Library. The book is a joint publication of BirdWatch Ireland and the Local Authority Heritage Officer Network.
    Picture: Alf Harvey