A RETIREMENT community developer has added nest boxes for an endangered bird species.

McCarthy Stone has added four of the specialist boxes for swifts, which migrate thousands of miles from Africa to the UK in early May.

The number of swifts has declined by around 60 per cent between 1995 and 2020 and they have been added to the ‘red list’ of endangered birds.

The boxes have been added at McCarthy Stone’s Old Market Village development in Wimborne.

Bournemouth Echo:

Nicki Beswarick, divisional marketing manager at McCarthy Stone, said: “At McCarthy Stone, we’re making considerable strides in improving our environmental impact.

"In 2022, we partnered with the Wildlife Trust Consultancies to help positively contribute to the UK’s national biodiversity and to protect the natural environment.

“With swifts being close to extinction in the UK, we wanted to help slow the decline by providing new nest sites.

"The boxes are both easy to install and cost-effective, so there’s no reason we can’t include more of them at our other developments across the country.

"Not only do they support the local wildlife, but they also help to provide a more tranquil and enjoyable living experience for our homeowners, allowing them to feel closer to nature.”