Linenhall welcomes swift chicks

It’s not too often that an arts centre gets to announce the birth of twins, but today that has happened. The Linenhall Arts Centre has just issued a lovely update on its longstanding swift-nesting project, which it runs in conjunction with Swift Conservation Mayo: the arrival of twin baby swifts in nest boxes located on the exterior wall of the historic Linenhall building.
Over the past 15 years, the number of swifts in the west of Ireland declined by over 40 percent due to the loss of nest sites associated with demolition or renovation of buildings. The swift initiative at the Linenhall therefore makes a very important contribution to helping numbers increase.
Two monitors, live streaming the swifts are nestled among beautiful art works in the Arts Centre foyer, so the general public can pop in anytime, between May and September to view the birds’ activity for free.
This awareness project on the swift – a red-listed bird of conservation concern – has been supported by Cllr Al McDonnell, Cathaoirleach of Castlebar Municipal District, through the Castlebar Municipal GMA funding allocation. Launching the swift monitoring initiative at the Linenhall he said he was ‘delighted to support the red listed bird’, saying the swift project ‘offers a unique opportunity for the general public to observe the behaviour of the swift birds during nesting season. Compliments to Lynda Huxley of Swift Conservation Mayo and the splendid technical and supporting team in the Linenhall’.
Swifts, or Gabhlan Gaoithe as Gaeilge, live for over 14 years and pair for life, nesting in old buildings. When they find a nest site, they return to that exact same place year after year. If that nest site is no longer available, it can take a long time to find a new one, which thankfully some have on the walls of the Linenhall. Swifts come to Ireland from Central and Southern Africa to breed, arriving in May and leaving in August.

For more information please contact the Linenhall Arts Centre on 094 9023733. For more on other swift-supporting initiatives around Mayo, visit www.swiftconservation.ie.