'Staggering' number of swift nests in Kilcullen

Last year's survey by Wild Kildare found there were 33 swift nests in the roof eaves of Kilcullen Parish Church, writes Brian Byrne.

There had been concerns last year that the breeding of the birds at the church might have been endangered by the presence of scaffolding on the roof at the time.

This number is described as 'staggering' by Paddy Sheridan of Wild Kildare. He adds that the number found was higher than expected and more accurate because four people from the area volunteered for the work, following the organisation's Biodiversity Week event in Kilcullen last May.

"Everything has to be done to save this huge colony," he says. "It is a pity that other towns of a similar size have very few nests."

Nesting boxes for swifts have also been situated in Scoil Bhride in cooperation with Kilcullen Community Action and Wild Kildare.

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