Bon Volks is delighted to announce the return of Swift Weekend, a three-day programme of free activities celebrating the remarkable birds that return to Margate's skies each summer after their extraordinary migration from Africa.
Inspired by Margate's local swift colony and Bon Volks' ongoing Swift Project, the weekend brings together creativity, conservation and community through workshops, family activities, a film screening, a swift talk, music, community action and opportunities to learn more about swifts and local biodiversity.
Many of the weekend's workshops and creative activities are led by Bon Volks artists and makers. The programme also includes a biodiversity walk exploring the importance of green corridors in highly urbanised areas, living pathways that help wildlife move, thrive and connect. The walk begins at Dane Valley Woods, passes through Windmill Community Gardens and continues across Dane Park, inviting participants to consider how these green threads stitch our neighbourhood together and what we can do to strengthen them.
Throughout the weekend, residents will be invited to participate in community swift surveys across Margate, including a special dawn survey at 5am, helping to observe local swift populations and contribute to conservation efforts.
All events are free to attend, although some activities have limited capacity and require advance booking.
Click here to find full programme and booking
Swift Weekend 2026 has been made possible thanks to the support of our crowdfunder contributors and the Don't Miss Margate Community Support Grant.
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Swift Weekend 2026
Bon Volks Studio, 12 Park Ln, Cliftonville, Margate
CT9 1RQ
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