Two cousins are working together to give swifts a new home at an Isle of Wight church and they won't need a door bell, with the church's bells as their neighbours.
Shanklin United Reformed Church has partnered with wildlife organisation, Hampshire Swifts.
Robin Harley, conservation officer for Dorset's Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch, contacted his cousin Rev Brian Harley to see if the church's clock tower and bell chamber could host the summer visitors.
Swifts don't seem to mind the noise of the bells and have successfully been nesting in church towers in Hampshire, in recent years.
Installing the wooden next box at Shanklin United Reform Church (Image: Contributed)
In April, a Shanklin nesting box was installed, by Robin and colleague, Bob Lord, behind the tower's wooden louvres, above the clock and bell housing.
Breeding season is between May and October and if the project is successful, it may be expanded in 2025.
Bob said: "Our swift population is in trouble and declining.
"Swifts have adapted to living in holes in buildings, but these are being blocked-up as we move from timber to UPVC fittings, which don't shrink and crack.
"New artificial spaces are needed."
Rev Brian Harley, said: "We delighted to be doing our bit.
"It is great we can offer a high-level safe nesting place for these tidy, clean birds."
House Rules
We do not moderate comments, but we expect readers to adhere to certain rules in the interests of open and accountable debate.