Wildlife

Common Swift Conservation and Nest Site Welfare

Common swifts spend almost their entire lives airborne but depend on human buildings for nesting, making them vulnerable to renovation and development.

Key Facts

Swifts nest almost exclusively in human structures in the UK
A single swift pair raises one to three chicks per year with high parental investment
Loss of eaves and roof voids during renovation destroys nest sites
Swift numbers have declined by 58% in the UK since 1995

Welfare Considerations

Loss of nest sites causes nesting failure, leaving chicks to starve or overheat. Swifts show strong site fidelity, returning year after year to find their nest blocked. Mitigation swift bricks prevent this welfare harm.

What You Can Do

Install swift bricks when renovating or building
Check for swift nest activity before any building work in summer
Support local swift groups and conservation monitoring schemes