Swift Welfare and Nesting Site Protection

Common swifts spend almost their entire lives airborne, landing only to nest. Rapid loss of nesting sites in modern buildings and renovation projects is driving population declines that require urgent action.

Key Facts

UK swift populations declined by 58% between 1995 and 2022
Swifts nest almost exclusively in cavities in older buildings - under eaves, in roof spaces, behind fascia boards
Modern building construction and renovation routinely blocks or destroys swift nest sites
Swifts return to the same nest site year after year across a lifespan of up to 20 years - site loss is permanent for those birds
Swift bricks and nesting boxes can provide alternative nest sites when installed correctly
The RSPB and Royal Institute of British Architects now recommend swift nest sites in all new developments
A 'screaming party' of swifts flying low over buildings indicates active nest sites nearby

Welfare Considerations

Swift welfare during the breeding season is highly sensitive to nest site disturbance. Swifts cannot take off from flat surfaces and will die if displaced from nests before young can fly. Planning regulations in Scotland, Wales, and several English local authorities now require swift nesting provision in new developments. Welfare-conscious building renovation includes a pre-work survey, schedule adjustments to avoid the breeding season (May-August), and installation of replacement swift bricks. Individual breeding pairs have high site fidelity across decades, meaning each destroyed nest site removes breeding potential for 20+ years.

What You Can Do

Install a swift nest box or swift brick on your building following RSPB guidelines
Check for swift activity before undertaking any building work between May and August
Advocate for your local council to require swift bricks in all new planning applications
Report swift nest sites to Swift Mapper (swiftmapper.org.uk)
Join a local swift group to monitor breeding activity and advise on nest site protection
Oppose planning applications that would destroy known swift colonies without mitigation