ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights some general principles about nesting and roosting that should be considered when designing for biodiversity enhancement. It considers some of the ready-made products for roosting and nesting that are on the market, before going on to explain how these, and bespoke roosting and nesting spaces, can be incorporated into new building design. In order to breed, swifts need access to a space in buildings where they can construct their simple nest. As swifts like to nest within a space or cavity, their presence as a nesting bird is not generally visible. Starlings nest in holes and cavities, especially in trees, but often use holes in buildings, including occupied houses and nest boxes. They nest in loose colonies and do not establish and defend a proper territory – only the immediate area around the nesting cavity is defended.
