Ministry of Good IdeasFeb 25

Good idea: urban planning that considers non-human residents

https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/cly9r7d74l5o

A new law has been passed in Scotland which means that every new house built in the country will have to have a swift brick in them.

A swift brick looks a bit like a normal brick, but it's hollow inside to allow birds - like swifts - to nest in them.

#scotland, #birds, #swiftbricks

Swift bricks to be put in every new home in Scotland

The Scottish government has made it part of the law, that all new homes should have a special brick added to make a home for swifts

BBC Newsround
Richard QuinnJan 29

https://act.38degrees.org.uk/act/save-our-swifts

#swifts #swiftBricks #swiftBrick

Save our swifts: include swift bricks in every new house

I just signed the campaign calling to save our swifts, by calling for the UK Government to follow Scotland's lead and make it the law for all new houses to be built with "swift bricks" - safe places for these birds to nest. Will you join me?

Show threadDoomsdaysCWNov 16

@MaQuest "Making space for nature

We will be installing 28 bee bricks and 28 swift bricks at the new Brickfields scheme to help conserve and enhance biodiversity, protecting it from the impacts of development.

Bee bricks can be used in place of standard bricks in construction to provide some much-needed nesting and hibernation space for solitary bee species such as the red mason and leafcutter.

Solitary bees are essential for pollinating a significant portion of our food crops and wildflowers. They do not produce honey, are non-aggressive, don't live in hives and don't swarm.

Swift bricks provide valuable nesting space for these fast-flying birds. Between 1995 and 2021 swift populations fell by 62% in the UK, partly due to the loss of suitable nesting sites.

These bee and swift bricks will be installed adjacent to landscape planting that provides a good quality foraging habitat, which includes biodiverse green roofs.

To further support the local ecosystem, the landscaping on site will include native planting as well as integrate trellises and climbing plants on the building's walls."

#SolarPunkSunday #BuildingForPollinators #SwiftBricks #BeeBricks

michaelJun 17, 2025

Explainer
#Swifts’ decline: how can Britons help these remarkable birds?
Campaigners are calling for compulsory #swiftBricks’ in new homes to provide nesting sites

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jun/17/swifts-decline-uk-birds-swift-bricks #science #ecology #conservation #birds

Swifts’ decline: how can Britons help these remarkable birds?

Campaigners are calling for compulsory ‘swift bricks’ in new homes to provide nesting sites

The Guardian
geoffbrewer #FBPEMay 28, 2025
Can we hope that any changes include #swiftbricks and solar gain roofing? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgr54q5yzkzo
Environmental rules reviewed for small housebuilders

Ministers are considering how costs can be reduced for small firms to help them build more homes.

BBC News
mvarioMay 27, 2025
Labour blocks proposal for ‘swift bricks’ in all new homes | Birds | The Guardian www.theguardian.com/environment/... #LabourScum #SaveThePlanet #SwiftBricks

Labour blocks proposal for ‘sw...
Labour blocks proposal for ‘swift bricks’ in all new homes

MPs had previously backed Conservative amendment to ask developers to provide hollow bricks for endangered birds

The Guardian
mvarioMay 27, 2025

Labour blocks proposal for ‘swift bricks’ in all new homes | Birds | The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/may/23/labour-blocks-proposal-for-swift-bricks-in-all-new-homes

#LabourScum #SaveThePlanet #SwiftBricks

Labour blocks proposal for ‘swift bricks’ in all new homes

MPs had previously backed Conservative amendment to ask developers to provide hollow bricks for endangered birds

The Guardian
Show threadMarjorieRMay 24, 2025

@pedestrians1st sign the #SwiftBricks petition here:

https://act.38degrees.org.uk/act/swifts-petition

Sign the petition: Save Our Swifts

Swifts have lost more than half their population in 20 years. A simple £35 brick in new builds could help save them. Labour used to support this – now they’re planning to backtrack. Sign the petition now to show them the public still backs this nature-friendly fix:

PedestriansfirstMay 24, 2025
“The rising new petition for swift bricks “just goes to show the public concern,” she said. “The government are not listening to the public or the experts.” But probably listening to the builders and developers who slip them perks. #SwiftBricks
michaelMay 5, 2025

Save #swiftBricks:
​‘The hypocrisy is staggering’: will swift bricks fall prey to government fears of Reform?
Campaigner Hannah Bourne-Taylor fears goal of requiring all new homes to include a hollow brick to help endangered cavity-nesting birds may be dropped

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/may/05/the-hypocrisy-is-staggering-will-swift-bricks-fall-prey-to-government-fears-of-reform

#ecology #birds #conservation #swifts

​‘The hypocrisy is staggering’: will swift bricks fall prey to government fears of Reform?

Campaigner Hannah Bourne-Taylor fears goal of requiring all new homes in England to include a hollow brick to help endangered cavity-nesting birds may be dropped

The Guardian