To find out where we usually record Swifts nesting in Lewes, please click here to see our map of the colonies.
June 2026
4th June
This morning Audrey and Nick Jarvis met Paul Stevens at the Cockshut wetlands with Chris Bibb from Lewes District Council and Jan. Tom and Kim from South Downs National Park. Some of you may remember Paul from the excellent talks he has given for us about Swifts, Swallows and Martins. Inspired by his talks, we talked with Jan Knowlson, SDNP Biodiversity Officer, about how wonderful it would be to have an artificial Sand Martin bank at the wetlands. Jan took the idea seriously and set up this site meeting to see if there was anywhere that we could site an artificial Sand Martin nest bank there. Paul has already built and installed some of these nest banks successfully, including the one pictured below at Arundel Wetland Centre, (pictures from the SDNP website).
Sand Martins have been recorded feeding over the Cockshut wetlands in 2025 and 2026, flying amongst groups of Swifts, Swallows and House Martins, last year and this year but there is nowhere near Lewes for them to nest.
Artificial Sand Martin bank Sand Martin
We spent two hours at the Cockshut wetlands from 10.00 to 12.00 because we were thrilled by the close encounters with both Swifts and House Martins. Probably because of the very strong wind, they were flying low and more slowly than usual over the fields and the water. We could really see all the colours in their wings as they flew past our heads. The twists and turns of the Swifts looked effortless, even though the wind was pushing us backwards!
Some views of the Swifts over the Cockshut wetlands
2nd June
Audrey and Nick recorded an eighth and ninth nest at St. Anne's Church tonight. All nine nests so far are clustered above the main door.
Margaret sent us a message to confirm four active nests at or near her home in Southover High Street - bringing our total for 2026 to 62 nests.
May 2026
30th May
More nest entrances have been recorded by our surveyors over the past week.
- Wendy has recorded one nest entrance in Mealla Close
- Nick and Audrey have recorded two more nests at St. Anne's Church, making seven nests there so far, and another box at their house has been occupied.
- Kevin and Natasha have now confirmed five nests in Station Street.
At the time of writing, that now makes 56 different nest entrances where surveyors have seen Swifts entering or exiting.
St. Anne's Church
Station Street
24th May
Tonight when we looked at the messages from the nest cam in King Henry's Road we saw that there is one egg in the nest! Here are some photographs to prove it!
There was more exciting news from our Swift Watchers today:
- Tom recorded a new nest under the eaves of his house in The Avenue
- Emma reported an entry to one of her RSPB boxes at the rear of Western Road
- Nick sent a message to let us know that Swifts are now in residence at his house in St. John's Terrace.
At St. Anne's Church, Nick and Audrey saw more activity than they have ever seen so far this year - lots of screaming fly pasts, up to thirteen Swifts swooping by, entries to nests 2 and 4, and an entry to a new nest 5.
Earlier, in De Montfort Road, they enjoyed watching seven Swifts screaming up and down the road and over the roofs for about fifteen minutes. Two of the Swifts entered one of the Peak boxes again.
Some of the activity in De Montfort Road
23rd May
Tonight we saw Swifts entering a new fourth nest at St. Anne's Church, where we heard Swifts calling for over an hour on the night before. We also saw a Swift enter a fourth nest in upper Western Road.
Last night, three nest entries were recorded at the Flea Market.
St. Anne's Church
Upper Western Road The Flea Market
During the day it was our Wildflower Day at Lewes Climate Hub. We welcomed 99 visitors and shared information, with the help of Lesley from Wildflower Lewes, about how to sow and grow wildflowers successfully. This all helps to keep Lewes as a Swift-friendly Town!
We gave away wildflower seeds in exchange for donations to East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service and raised another £120.
Some of our visitors The plant stall - wildflower plugs to take home!
Making badges to celebrate wildflowers
21st May
With the warmer temperatures and more gentle breeze over the past few days, we have begun to see more Swifts returning to Lewes!
On 19th May, the Swifts returned to one of the nest boxes in Valence Road, where Swifts successfully bred for the first time in 2025. Just around the corner in Valence Road, a third nest entrance is being used at the old shop.
Two more active nest entrances have been recorded at The Maltings, and a seventh nest space is occupied at the top of St. Swithun's Terrace.
Our current total is 39 different Swift nest entrances.
In Valence Road
The Maltings Top of St. Swithun's Terrace
18th May
Lots of banging against potential nest spaces tonight - in Valence Road and at St. Anne's Church.
A late night photograph from the nest cam in King Henry's Road shows the two Swifts roosting while it rained heavily outside.
16th May
Last night two more nests were recorded at the top of St. Swithun's Terrace and one more at The Maltings. A further active nest has been identified in St. Martin's Lane - making 24 nests this year.
Top of St. Swithun's Terrrace The Maltings
In King Henry's Road, the nest cam shows that two Swifts have now returned!
Today was our Hedgehog Day at Lewes Climate Hub! Almost everything we do to support Hedgehogs also supports Swifts and other wildlife.
We welcomed Trevor Weeks from East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service, (ESWRAS), who gave us a great deal of interesting information about Hedgehogs and their challenges. A few years ago, ESWRAS successfully rehabilitated a rescued Swift from Lewes until it was ready to set free from Malling Down, so we are keen to support the voluntary work of this charity.
Visitors were able to make badges, give donations to ESWRAS in return for a mini Hedgehog toy, and have a go at making woodcraft Hedgehogs with Rustic Tim! We raised another £115 in donations from our generous participants.
Hedgehog badge Woodcraft Hedgehog Hedgehog display
15th May
With the weather changing and becoming cooler, we have had some quiet evenings with very few Swifts seen flying around. In spite of this, surveyors and Swift Watchers have seen some more Swift entries between us. We now have records of 20 different nest entrances being used this year.
Two more nests at the top of St. Swithun's Terrace and a second nest in Valence Road
11th May
Last night we recorded an entry to a third nest space at the long-term colony at the top of Western Road and saw entries to both the other nest spaces there.. In De Montfort Road we saw a Swift enter one of the Peak Swift boxes we had installed in 2021. This is the third occupied box in the road for this year, and it is the third year that we have seen Swifts entering and exiting. This brings our total for 2026 to 17 nests.
Nest entrances at the top of Western Road
10th May
On a dull drizzly evening that would have allowed few, if any sightings of Swifts, Swift surveyors and Supporters alike gathered at the Black Horse pub in Western Road. Declan, the landlord, had been in touch a few weeks earlier to let us know that their regular quiz night was going to raise funds for Swifts. It was a full house and we were touched by the number of people who had come along especially to show their support. It was very enjoyable and our "Apus apus" team came a respectable third out of nine teams. At the end of the night we were given an unexpected and surprisingly large donation of £210 to help the Swifts of Lewes.
Some of the quizzers Declan giving the donations to Audrey, the LSS Secretary
9th May
Today was our Swift Celebration Day!
Here are some photographs of our parade to "Welcome back the Swifts!" led by our Deputy Mayor, Councillor Adrian Ross. Adrian gave a short speech before we set off to conform the support of Lewes Town Council for our Swift-friendly Town initiative , which was formally approved by full council in September 2024. About 50 people joined us along the route from the Linklater Pavilion to Lewes Climate Hub.
On the terrace at Lewes Climate Hub
At the Hub, visitors enjoyed refreshments, looked at our exhibition, and made badges to celebrate our Swifts. To honour the Swifts' migration route, Seema, one of our surveyors, wore a shirt from Africa, a skirt for Spain and a jacket from the UK.
Seema showing the badge she made One of our 103 visitors!
In the afternoon we were all captivated by the talk about Swifts from Edward Mayer, founder of Swift Conservation. Visitors were invited to make a donation to East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service, who rehabilitate rescued Swifts until they are mature enough to migrate to Africa. We raise and amazing £93.20, thank you!
To end a perfect day, we recorded the first two nests of the year at St. Anne's Church! Another nest was recorded in Station Street, which brings our total for 2026 so far to 15 nests.
St. Anne's Church 31 Station Street
8th May
At 4.57 a.m. this morning, the first Swift arrived back in the nest at King Henry's Road, where we have a nest cam! Safe journey to the partner Swift and we hope to see it soon!
Second nest recorded at the top of Western Road this evening, and a second nest at the top of St. Swithun's Terrace too! That makes 12 nests in Lewes so far!
Top of Western Road
7th May
At last, we saw a Swift enter under the fascia board of the house where they have nested for several years in Valence Road. One flew in at 7.35 p.m., then one flew out a few minutes later. Loud calls from the nest space throughout!
6th May
Another entry to the nest at the junction of Western Road and Spital Road!
During the afternoon, we installed three more Swift nest boxes and one artificial House Martin cup around Lewes.
Winterbourne Close
Abinger Place
The Fosse
St. John's Terrace
5th May
Last night, Kevin Murphy recorded his first entry to a nest at The Maltings, in exactly the same place as the first entry last year!
Tonight, Audrey and Nick Jarvis stood outside a house in Valence Road where there are known nest spaces that have been used over several years. Between 7.50 and 8.10 p.m. there were 14 very loud Swift calls from inside one of the nest spaces - but no Swift entries or exits were seen, yet!
4th May
We've had two very fine days but the skies have been surprisingly quiet. However, tonight Russo James saw two Swifts entering the same nest space in Bridgewick Close, so that makes six nests we have recorded so far - and it is still very early in the season!
2nd May
In a short survey between the showers of rain, Audrey Jarvis saw three Swifts screaming and flying below eave height in De Montfort Road again. Just before the rain started again, at 8.00 p.m., two Swifts entered the nest box on the left one after the other.
At the top of The Avenue, Liz Thomas reported that a pair of Swifts have returned to a nest entrance at the gable end of her house.
1st May
At 7.50 pm. this evening, Nick and Audrey Jarvis saw three Swifts circling lower and lower above these two nest boxes in De Montfort Road. One entered the box on the left and, after two minutes of further circling, another enter the box on the right. These boxes were used for the first time last year and we are delighted that the Swifts have returned.
Earlier, at 11.10 a.m., Nick saw one Swift entering under the eaves of Marston Barrett Jewellers, 72-73 High Street, a new nest site for us all!
April 2026
30th April
The wind had died down tonight and we saw some proper Swift sightings! Audrey and Nick saw up to six Swifts swooping over Valence Road and De Montfort Road - some of them well below the height of the eaves and some of them screaming!
At 8.35 p.m. they saw their first nest entry of the season at the top of Western Road.
29th April
Another windy day but this evening we saw two pairs of Swifts flying above the junction of Abergavenny Road and De Montfort Road. It became exciting later when, for the first time, we saw Swifts flying low near to St. Anne's Church.
At about the same time, Sue Fasqualle saw one lone Swift flying over the gardens between Bradford Road and De Montfort Road.
Earlier in the day, at 8.55 a.m., Russo James saw three Swifts flying from St. Nicholas Lane towards Station Street - where there has been an active colony for several years.
28th April
A very windy day but we saw some Swifts over the junction of The Avenue with Bradford Road while we were training our new Wallands surveyors.
We had a lovely message from Declan at the Black Horse pub - they are organising a Swift quiz in aid of Lewes Swift Supporters!
27th April
Swift sightings in Lewes today:
- 6.15 p.m., Mike Ramsey saw ten Swifts feeding high above King Henry's Road.
- 6.55 p.m., Seema Kapila saw five Swifts above Baltica, 145 High Street.
- 7.00 p.m., Debs Kemp saw five Swifts flying around the rear of the High Street, near Cote.
- 7.50-8.00 p.m., Nick and Audrey Jarvis saw two Swifts over Bradford Road then two flying from the reservoir and over the Black Horse.
Justin Taylor has generously shared a link to his wonderful film about Swifts and the work of Swift rescuers!
Please watch the short film and share it with your friends and family - so that more and more people care about Swifts! When you are asked for a password, it is swiftsanctuary123.
Lewes Swift Supporters are mentioned in this article in th Sussex Wildlife Trust magazine - thank you!
26th April
11.55 a.m. Russo James enjoyed watching three Swifts flying past the rear of Taith in the High Street
5.30 p.m. Piers Hart saw three Swifts flying above Leicester Road.
7.40 p.m. At the beginning of their survey, Audrey and Nick Jarvis saw two Swifts flying above Valence Road. Later, in answer to a Swift call, they heard a Swift respond from one of the regularly used nest entrances in Western Road.
One of the Swifts above Valence Road tonight
25th April
Several sightings from Swift Watchers today!
- 2.30 p.m. - Emily Cranmer saw two Swifts above Leicester Road.
- 4.00 p.m. - Clive and Helen Fleming, visiting Lewes and members of Hertford Swift group, saw four Swifts flying above Lewes Castle.
- 4.30 p.m. - Sue Swindley saw five Swifts over St. Swithun's Terrace.
- 4.45 p.m. - Joe Tubb spotted one Swift over King Henry's Road - where our nest camera is.
- 5.00 p.m. - Peter Baker let us know that he saw four or five Swifts feeding above Abinger Place - where he recorded five nests last year!
This evening, Audrey and Nick Jarvis saw three Swifts, or the same one three times! One flew over the top of Western Road, another flew above De Montfort Road near the Black Horse, and one was seen from St. Anne's Church, flying down Western Road and over the toilets towards De Montfort Road.
24th April
We had our first recorded nest entry today - Mark reported that one flew under the eaves at the top of St. Swithun's Lane at just after 8.00 p.m.
This is the colony where and amazing 13 nests were recorded in 2025!
At about the same time, two Swifts were seen circling above the top of Abergavenny Road by Nick Jarvis. and also by Kevin Murphy. and three were seen by Clare Hoddinott over Southover!
Earlier, at 5.30 p.m. Debs Kemp saw three Swifts screaming over the terrace at the back of the High Street.
Nest entrances recorded in St. Swithin's Lane in 2025
22nd April
More sightings in Lewes!
At 6.45 p.m. Mike Ellicock spotted one lone Swift over Baxter's Field. Later, at 8.00 p.m., Nick Jarvis saw two Swifts feeding and wheeling between De Montfort Road, and St. Anne's Church, Western Road, for about 30 minutes.
The Trektellen map showed 11.962 Swifts passing over France - some of them very close to us!
21st April
Douglas Dodds was at the Cockshut wetlands at noon today and guess what he saw? Two Swifts feeding over the water in among about 30 House Martins!
Later on 20th April
7.30 p.m. Nick Jarvis just saw his first Swift above Lewes! It was above Baxter's Field and heading towards Malling Down.
20th April
An exciting message this morning from Patrick Austin, Environmental Performance Advisor for South-East Water:
"I thought you might be interested to know that during our WEBS count at Barcombe Reservoir this morning we noted at least 15 Swifts foraging high over the water. They appeared about halfway through the count and were accompanied by several Sand Martins."
That is very close to Lewes!
Library picture of Barcombe Reservoir
19th April
Some Swifts have been recorded just across the English Channel from us in Lewes!
18th April
The first Swift was spotted in Sussex yesterday - above Pulborough Brooks Nature Reserve. We have switched our Swift callers on just in case!
Trektellen recorded well over a thousand Swifts passing over France yesterday and today - with some as them as near to us as Normandy!
12th April
Excitement is starting to build because in past years we have seen Swifts in Lewes by the end of April - if not before!
On 7th April, Swifts were reported flying above Dorset, Cornwall, Walthamstow wetlands and Rainwall Marshes.
This screenshot from the Trektellen website, which monitors various birds passing over migration sites, showed that some of the Swifts are passing over France and getting ever closer to us!
March 2026
On 14th March we set up our stall at the "Making a Buzz" event in the LInklater Pavilion at the Railway Land Nature Reserve.
It was the perfect event for synchronising with our Swift-friendly Town! After a presentation from Issy Sexton of Buzz Club, visitors had a chance to make Hoverfly lagoons and bug bunkers to take home.
This was a Mosaic Project event - and Lewes Swift Supporters are proud of being a part of it!
Our stall Issy from Buzz Club A bug bunker!
February 2026
On 13th February, we met up with Dave Boddington, (Swift Champion for Sussex Ornithological Society), once again to install seven more Swift nest boxes around Lewes. It was a good day to choose because, in contrast to the weather forecast, it was dry, warm and not windy. That makes 211 Swift boxes that we have installed so far!
Four of the boxes that we installed are near existing colony of Swifts, so we paid for these and installed them free of charge - thanks to a grant from Chalk Cliff Trust.
New Swift boxes in Prince Edward's Road, Gundreda Road, and Fitzjohn's Road
More Swift boxes in Abinger Place, Southover High Street, and Christie Road
The last box - in Station Street
On 4th February, we installed a new double Peak Swift nest box on our house!
We also painted the one that was installed in 2021, to give it further protection from the weather. This gave us the chance to look inside and see where the Swifts had successfully bred last year. They appeared to have crushed the build-up of four years worth of Sparrow nests to make a base about as firm as concrete!
The new double nest box
Inside the nest box that was used by Swifts last year
January 2026
Lewes Swift Supporters had a very good year in 2025. Don't forget to look at our Annual Report for the full details of an excellent year!
We are looking forward to seeing Swifts in Lewes in the spring - they usually arrive at the end of April. Meanwhile, you might want to look at this video animation from Hannah Bourne-Taylor to remind us about these wonderful birds.
A Swift Story: