Does anyone have particular interest in this species who might offer
some help or insight to these people in Thailand? (This fellow contacted
me through a kayaking mailing list.)
Thanks,
Karen

> Here's the scoop on the Edible-nest Swiftlets.
>
> A good friend of mine, Ken Sowton, will soon open a new caf? in Phuket
> (pronounced poo-ket).
>
> Here is his own words as written to a local newspaper:
>
> The building was virtually derelict when I agreed to lease it and large
> quantities of swiftlets were nesting on the second floor. These are the same
> birds that make the edible nests that Birds Nest Soup is made with. My wife
> and I felt that in spite of business pressures and the shop being a human
> habitation the birds were there before us and thus deserved some care and
> consideration. We thought it may be possible to get the birds to move in to
> a loft area where they could be protected and observed while they return to
> breed annually. Just after signing the lease on the building the hole in the
> roof became worse when the roof collapsed entirely. The rain at the time
> was heavy and apart from damage to the building the birds were clearly in
> danger. Although interested in Ornithology we are not experts and thus we
> contacted local ornithologist, Mr. David Williams for advise. He further
> got in contact with local and international Ornithological societies for any
> help that we could get. Meanwhile we trawled the internet to find anything
> we could to help us. How sensitive are the birds? Is there anybody who has
> moved birds like this before? Although there is interest enough in these
> birds for their valuable nests scant knowledge of their habits was
> available. With some difficulty a new roof has been built around the birds
> with owners and workers going to great lengths to minimize the impact on the
> birds. It should be remembered that these were after all building workers
> and the current price of the nests is in the region of $12,000 per kilo. As
> half the roof was replaced and half of it restored to it's old Chinese style
> this was no mean feat in itself. Falling debris as well as welding sparks
> had to be contended with not to mention the daily rain. In the end very few
> birds or nests were lost. Far fewer in fact we hoped.
>
> Moving the birds is a challenge anyway as there is little documentation of
> experience to help but already it has been found with the birds in the
> Circle Caf? that they are breeding far longer than all the books say they
> should, in
> spite of the disturbances that they have suffered. The heavy building work
> is at an end now with a respite before the opening of the caf? and the end
> of the breeding season (?) when the attempt will be made to actually move
> the nests. Then we hold our breath while we wait to see if they will return
> to the nests and breed again. If they do they will slowly be introduced to
> an upstairs ceiling that will seal in and protect the birds area and
> complete the move.
> *************************************
>
> The latest is very interesting. These birds, according to the best book on
> the subject of Thailand's birds (A Guide to the Birds of Thailand - written
> by Phil Round), are suppose to be through nesting by June. Well, it's late
> August and two birds just laid eggs!
>
> What is also interesting is the amount of noise they can endure without
> apparent harm.
>
> Ken is a very kind-hearted gentleman and will let the birds do what they
> need to do as long as they need to. Our lack of knowledge on just what the
> birds can or can't take is a bit disturbing. We don't want to force them to
> leave the building forever. He want to go to the "trouble" of building a
> special loft above the existing area in hopes that they will come back year
> after year to reproduce.
>
> Ken is keeping records of the number of nests and the times that the birds
> are taking to leave. He has both Edible-nest and Black-nest Swiftlets. The
> main difference being the color of their nests... pretty obvious actually.
>
> He hopes to possibly set up a video camera in the future nesting room so he
> and his customers can watch live birdy-cam while dining!
>
> It's pretty darn interesting and we're wondering if we're actually breaking
> any new ground here. Do you know if there are any authorities on these
> birds who might be able to enlighten us?
>
> That's it for now. I would be happy to keep you informed as things progress
> over here.
>
> All the best,
> Dave
>
> Dave Williams
> paddler at loxinfo.co.th
> http://paddleasia.com
> Phuket, Thailand
>