A surprising renovation in Helsinki: 223 homes for people—and 18 homes for swifts!
The residents of an apartment building in Helsinki were worried about how a façade renovation would affect local wildlife. They decided to build special “apartment buildings” for swifts and attach them to the trees in their yard. They also made sure the old swift nests under the eaves were preserved.
In a housing association in Roihuvuori, Helsinki, it was time to renovate the building façades, but residents worried about the fate of the common swifts nesting along the roofline. Instead of blocking the nests under the eaves with netting, they decided to keep them intact and even add more homes for the birds.
—Some residents here have been following the swifts’ nesting on the property for decades, says housing association board member Johanna Valkonen.
The renovation sparked a desire to help
This housing association consists of apartment buildings constructed in the 1950s that have been extensively renovated in recent years. During the plumbing overhaul, the switch to geothermal heating, and the façade renovation, the courtyards were also affected. This led residents to think about ways to help nature after so much construction work.
The housing association hired Raimo Henriksson to build six nesting structures suitable for common swifts, creating a total of 18 new nesting spots. Henriksson has built nesting places for swifts and house martins all over Finland.
The façade renovation contractor promised to help mount the swifts’ “apartment buildings” in the yard’s trees. Residents were also happy that the existing nests under the eaves could remain intact during the renovation.
“Their song is such an important part of the soundscape here.”Johanna Valkonen
Common swifts in trouble
The common swift is classified as endangered in Finland. The main reason is the decline in insects, though suitable nesting sites have also disappeared, explains Raimo Henriksson.
—In the past, you might look up at the sky and see multiple flocks of swifts. These days, you often spot only a few.
Henriksson’s passion for helping birds began when he was young.
—I’ve been fascinated by birds and their songs my entire life. For ages, I tried to persuade swifts to nest on my property, and now I’ve finally succeeded, he says.
In 2018, Henriksson built his first swift hotel on his property, drawing considerable media attention.
—News spread, and now I’ve built more than a dozen swift homes around Finland, he says.
Coming next: nests for hedgehogs?
Henriksson says common swifts are clean birds that don’t damage buildings. Even so, many housing associations block their eaves, leaving the birds without crucial nesting spots. He hopes more people will learn about the swifts’ plight and follow the Roihuvuori housing association’s example.
For Roihuvuori residents, the decision was simple. For many, a rich natural environment is a key element of the neighborhood.
—Their song is such an important part of the soundscape here, says Valkonen.
Residents have also been motivated to protect other creatures in the yard.
—Hedgehogs also visit our yard, so next we’re thinking of building hedgehog nests.
