Nature lovers have appealed to Network Rail to unblock three holes among at least nine swift nesting sites on the twin viaducts at Chapel Milton, on the edge of the Peak District. An ecological report commissioned by Network Rail found no evidence of nesting swifts, but this was challenged by swift watchers who assembled 38 pieces of evidence indicating at least nine nest sites. Network Rail later accepted there were swift holes and said it had worked around the nesting birds.
Campaigners said Network Rail had been given extensive details of the location of the nest holes, between tiny gaps in the stonework, but three were filled with mortar in February. They argue preserving the tiny swift holes would have no impact on the structural integrity of the viaduct. Bird lovers planned to hold a vigil beneath the viaduct on Saturday in the hope that the holes would be unblocked before the swifts returned around the end of April to breed.
Britain’s swift population has declined by 66% between 1995 and 2022, largely due to the widespread loss of nest sites. Network Rail began work on the refurbishment of the 160-year-old viaducts last summer while swifts were nesting. British Transport Police’s wildlife crime team is investigating whether nesting birds may have been disturbed, after the refurbishment work was reported to the police by campaigners last summer.
It remains unknown whether Network Rail will unblock the three swift nesting holes before the swifts return around the end of April, and the outcome of the police investigation has not been determined.