Eels Foot Inn in Suffolk is first pub to have swift tower

The beer garden of Eels Foot Inn in Eastbridge, near Leiston, is now home to an eight-metre tall tower, which may be the only pub in Britain with such a construction.

The tower was put up on Friday, January 19 at the pub, which is well-used by nature lovers including presenters and crew from BBC’s Springwatch when they broadcast the series from the nearby RSPB Minsmere.

The idea came from Steve Piotrowski, president of Waveney Bird Club, to address the declining number of swifts in the country.

According to the RSPB, declining numbers are partly down to a loss of nesting sites. Swifts pair for life, returning to the same site each year to nest and lay and incubate their eggs.

The location was chosen due to its proximity to Minsmere and its semi-urban environment, and species nest in buildings, and there are swifts already present in the village.

The eight-metre tall swift tower in Eastbridge. (Image: Contributed)

It was a major project that took 18 months overall, involving purchasing a Douglas Fir pole and arranging for its carving, attaching a nesting chamber, and then sinking it into the ground.

The nesting chamber provides space for 47 pairs and inside there is a speaker inside that plays the sound of their screaming call to attract birds to the tower.

Steve Piotrowski, manager of the project, said: "We’re very proud of the tower. For several years we have been trying to help swifts as they are one of the species that are most threatened.

“Swifts are also very sociable so will not mind nesting in a beer garden full of people.

“We do have swifts in Eastbridge, so we are hoping that over the years these numbers will increase when they nest within the tower.”

Swifts arrive in Suffolk for the summer. (Image: Contributed)

The process involved planning permission, consulting a structural engineer, and works undertaken by Gilleard Bros, which specialises in bird hides.

There will be an official opening on May 7, around the time when the species arrives in Suffolk skies.

The bird group is also looking at providing outdoor seating for the pub garden, so pinters can watch the swifts come and go.

The nesting chamber has space for 47 pairs of swifts. (Image: Contributed)

The project was made possible with funding from Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscapes, East Suffolk Council’s Nature First initiative and donations from members of Waveney Bird Club.