Wild Birds

Swift Conservation and Urban Nesting

Common swift populations have declined by 60% in the UK since 1995, driven primarily by loss of nesting sites in modernised buildings.

Key Facts

Swifts nest almost exclusively under the eaves of old buildings in the UK
They spend 10 months of the year on the wing and live up to 21 years
Swift bricks provide nesting cavities in new buildings at negligible cost
The UK swift population declined from 85,000 pairs in 1995 to 35,000 by 2020
Swifts return to the same nest site year after year

Welfare Considerations

Swifts unable to find nest sites cannot breed, meaning entire year classes fail to reproduce during site shortages. The decline of nesting opportunities represents a welfare harm affecting long-lived birds whose fitness depends on successful annual reproduction. Swifts that crash-land and cannot take off due to injury are particularly vulnerable and require specialist care.

What You Can Do

Install swift bricks when extending or re-roofing your home
Support planning requirements for swift bricks in new developments
Contact your local authority about requiring swift bricks in planning guidance
Put up swift nest boxes under eaves in the right orientation
Join RSPB swift surveys and report swift nest sites to the local atlas