Bats & Swifts
Helping Swifts and Bats Thrive in Hurst Green
Swifts and bats are two of our most remarkable yet rapidly declining wildlife species.
Both play a vital role in local ecosystems controlling insect populations and acting as indicators of a healthy environment, but habitat loss and modern building practices have dramatically reduced the places swifts can nest and bats can roost.
Friends of River Eden Ecosystem is delighted to be launching a new Swift and Bat Box Project in Hurst Green, Surrey, aimed at supporting and increasing local populations of these important species.
Swift & Bat Boxes
Thanks to generous funding from the Surrey County Council Community Nature Grant, we will be purchasing and installing 30 Peak Boxes Swift Boxes and 30 Peak Boxes Bat Boxes on suitable properties around the village.
These purpose-built boxes provide safe, long-term nesting and roosting spaces, helping to replace habitats that have been lost over time.
Where the Project Will Begin
The initial phase of the project will focus on homes in:
Chestnut Copse
Pollards Oak Road
Pollards Oak Crescent
These areas have been identified as particularly suitable locations for swift and bat boxes, based on existing wildlife activity and building characteristics.
Get Involved
If you live in one of the target areas and would like to have a swift box and/or bat box installed on your property, or if you don't live in one of these areas but are interested in volunteering for this project, we would love to hear from you.
Taking part is a simple and effective way to support local wildlife. If you are unable to install the boxes yourself, please let us know and we'll find a solution.
What You'll Need
To ensure the boxes are installed in locations that give wildlife the best chance of success, properties will need to meet the following criteria:
For Swift Boxes
A north or north-east facing wall
Installed at a height of at least 5 metres with a clear flight path
For Bat Boxes
A south, south-east or south-west facing wall
Installed at a height of at least 4 metres
Other Ways You Can Help Wildlife at Home
You don’t need specialist equipment to make a difference. Wildlife-friendly gardening can greatly increase food and shelter for birds, bats, insects and other animals.
Simple Actions Include:
Letting parts of your garden grow a little wilder to provide shelter and nesting spaces
Planting native trees, shrubs and wildflowers to support insects and pollinators
Avoiding pesticides and herbicides, which reduce insect numbers and harm wildlife
Leaving seed heads, fallen leaves and logs where possible to create natural habitats
Providing fresh water for birds and mammals, especially during dry weather
For more advice and practical tips on gardening for wildlife, visit: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/gardening
Together, these small changes can create a network of wildlife-friendly spaces across Hurst Green, complementing the swift and bat box project and helping nature recover.
Looking Ahead
This project is an important first step. We are hopeful that, with further funding and community support, we will be able to expand the scheme into more areas of Hurst Green in the future, creating a stronger network of habitats and helping these species recover across the village.
By working together, we can make a real difference for local wildlife and ensure that future generations continue to enjoy the sight of swifts screaming through summer skies and bats flitting at dusk over Hurst Green.
Have You Seen Swifts in Hurst Green
Please Log your sightings on the Swift Mapper and help protect swifts.
