For 60 million years, swifts have performed their aerobatic dominance in the sky. Swifts are exclusively adapted to spending their entire lives in the air, apart from nesting here in the summer. Arriving in late spring, their screeching call as they scythe through the air is a magical sound of high summer. By August, most will have gone from the UK as they make the non-stop 6000 mile journey back to South Africa.
Sadly, swifts are now considered to be in critical decline, and the species was placed on the UK Red List in 2021. Numbers have dramatically reduced by 50% over the last 20 years. One of the main causes for this rapid reduction in numbers is the loss of nesting sites, often through building development. Traditionally, swifts nest high up on wall tops in buildings, especially old barns, and occasionally on cliffs. However, the trend to convert barns and other buildings for housing needs is having a negative impact on their breeding ability.
Due to their diminuetive legs and forward-facing toes, the birds are unable to perch on wires or foliage. They cannot get airborne again if they fall to the ground, so the nest sites have to be high up to allow the birds to swoop into their flight. Fortunately, there are ways in which we can halt the decline of these graceful creatures, by providing them with artificial nest sites. Swift boxes can be purchased from a number of reliable sources, including NHBS.com, made from traditional timber or longer-lasting woodcrete. The boxes need to be fixed high up, just under the roof, allowing enough room for the birds to easily and safely access them. We installed three on our cottage more than 6 years ago and, for the last two years, they have been occupied and young birds have been successfully reared. Swifts will investigate new boxes in the first year, but it takes a while for them to feel safe enough to use them. Birds will sometimes check out the location if recorded swift calls are played nearby.
The other vital way of helping swifts is by using swift bricks in new build properties. The Feather Speech campaign was launched by Hannah Bourne-Taylor in 2022 to make the use of swift bricks compulsory across new housing throughout the UK. This campaign, supported by the RSPB and the King, who has installed swift bricks across the Duchy estate, would benefit not just swifts but also the other threatened cavity-nesting birds, the House sparrow, House martin and Starling. With the ambitious house-building programme planned by the new Government, there is a wonderful opportunity to improve the future for these iconic, thrilling birds.
Nigel Hester, Trustee
