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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.  Sadly habitat loss and modern building practices have dramatically reduced the places swifts can nest and bats can roost.

 

Friends of River Eden Ecosystem runs a Swift and Bat Box Project in Hurst Green, Surrey, aimed at supporting and increasing local populations of these important species.  Purpose-built boxes provide safe, long-term nesting and roosting spaces, helping to replace habitats that have been lost over time.

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Thanks to generous funding from the Surrey County Council Community Nature Grant, we have distributed 20 swift boxes and 15 bat boxes so far (May 2026).  We've had fantastic engagement from the community, and it's been wonderful to connect with people who want to support our local wildlife.

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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.

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Here's how:

  1. If you live in or close to an area that has existing swift or bat populations and would like to have a swift box and/or bat box installed on your property, check your home meets the criteria in the "What You'll Need" section below then CLICK HERE.  If you are unable to install the boxes yourself, please let us know and we'll find a solution.

  2. If you don't live in one of these areas but are interested in volunteering with the monitoring team for this project, CLICK HERE.

 

Log​ any swift sightings on the Swift Mapper.

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

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Does your property meet the criteria?  CLICK HERE to get involved.

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.

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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 in the future, creating a stronger network of habitats and helping these and many other species recover across the upper River Eden catchment.

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