Swift Protection Association Reigate (SPARE) took part in the first national Swift Awareness Week, which was held in the summer. For the week, organisations across the UK held events to raise awareness of swifts and to educate the public and share information.

SPARE was given a space outside Morrisons in Reigate – members gave out leaflets, booklets, photographs of swifts and information about swifts in the local area. There were various swift nesting boxes on display and information on what to do if members of the public found a swift on the ground.

Hannah Wilson from SPARE, said: “We were much encouraged by the level of interest and enthusiasm shown by Reigate residents.”

The aims of SPARE are to raise awareness of swifts, provide information and presentations to schools and other organisations, undertake annual surveys of nesting sites in the area and record the numbers of known nesting sites in specific roads in the area.

For more information about SPARE, email the organisation: reigateswifts@gmail.com