GBO is also on duty for feathered residents
11.07.2017 – GBO Gemeinnützige Baugesellschaft Offenbach from the Stadtwerke Offenbach Group's Geschäftsfeld Immobilien division is concerned about the well-being of all residents in its properties - even if they have wings and feed on insects and spiders. When painting the façade of a house managed by GBO in Glockengasse, for example, the quick commitment of several people involved ensured that at least one pair of swifts nesting there can continue to feed their offspring.
At least one pair of swifts nesting on the façade
The scaffolding for the work was already being erected when a resident called the environmental agency, the Lower Nature Conservation Authority. He reported that swifts were nesting on the upper façade behind the so-called parapet panels at the end of the roof. Because nets were also stretched over the scaffolding, the parent birds could no longer fly to the hungry offspring.
To be on the safe side, the environmental agency immediately halted construction work and then informed the GBO. The GBO commissioned a surveyor, who was in front of the house within a very short time and established that there was probably more than just one pair of swifts nesting there: The calls of young birds could be heard and at least one pair of adult birds was circling around the building.
Free flight ensured for the adult birds
Experts, the environmental agency and GBO quickly agreed on how to reunite the family despite the ongoing work: The nets were removed immediately and the scaffolding in the upper section was dismantled. The adult birds were able to fly freely again and the stomachs of the little swifts continued to be filled. The façade could also be painted around the entrance hole, but the painters worked here for a maximum of 30 minutes at a time. Then they withdrew from there for around an hour so that the young birds could be fed.
Now the rear of the building is also getting a fresh coat of paint. Here, however, the surveyor has already determined with a trained eye that this residential location is obviously unattractive for swifts - no nests were found here.
11.07.2017