Ceri Heathcote

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Ceri’s Bookshelves

to-read‎ (14)
currently-reading‎ (3)

read‎ (3)
did-not-finish‎ (0)

sustainability‎ (3)
economics‎ (1)

psycology‎ (1)
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Ceri is Currently Reading

Ceri Heathcote is currently reading

Of Thorn & Briar: A Year with the West Country Hedgelayer

by Paul Lamb

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Jun 24, 2026 01:04AM

Ceri Heathcote rated a book it was amazing

Nature Needs You: The Fight to Save Our Swifts

by Hannah Bourne-Taylor

bookshelves: currently-reading, sustainability

Reading for the 2nd time

read in June 2026

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Ceri Heathcote said: " Coincidentally, I have just finished reading this book on Swift Awareness Week.

I am now also a self confessed 'Swiftie' (nothing to do with the pop star though!)

According to British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) swift populations have seen a 68% decli Coincidentally, I have just finished reading this book on Swift Awareness Week.

I am now also a self confessed 'Swiftie' (nothing to do with the pop star though!)

According to British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) swift populations have seen a 68% decline since 1995. This in large part due to the loss of nesting places where the eaves of roofs are sealed in new buildings.

In the book, Hannah details her eventful and frustrating journey to try and save the swifts by campaigning for installation of swift bricks to be mandated for all new build houses. The swift brick is, in theory, a no brainer, a simple, relatively cheap brick that replaces the nesting sites lost by swifts. But persuading the government to mandate it for new builds has turned out to be much trickier.

I have been truly inspired by Hannah's commitment to the swifts along with all those that have supported her along the way. Who knew, there are dedicated teams of volunteers that spend the spring on swift watch which, amongst other things, involves rescuing grounded birds and persuading home owners with any means available to them to let swifts back into their nesting spaces, where they have been blocked?

Hannah took it a step further than that though with her campaign and lobbying of the government. She really shows how one person, with grit and refusal to accept the preventable decline of a species, can make a difference. The book gave an insighful look into government decision making process revealing the complex and sometimes ludicrous nature of our political system. It really highlighted the importance of lobbying the government for what is important to us and ensuring the right stuff gets the focus it deserves.

Last week in my garden I watched these powerful but also vulnerable birds circling the sky above at super speed. On a recent visit to Nice in France, the skies above our apartment were alive with swifts, screeching past. I totally get the obsession with these birds. For Hannah, the connection runs really deep after she hand raised a swift that had fallen to the ground before releasing it back to the skies. Her emotional account of her close bond with this bird really helped me to understand her motivations and sense of responsibility.

Hannah's belief that passion is a super power also really resonated with me. I think we can all identify what is really important to us and take action to make it happen.

So in summary, I would definitely recommend reading this book especially if you would like to feel inspired to take action about something you care about or to learn more about swifts.

Swift bricks have now been put into law in Scotland but for the of the UK, the fight goes on. ...more "

Jun 29, 2026 09:44AM · see review