Wildlife Welfare

Wildlife Welfare: Swift Conservation and Urban Nesting

Swifts are declining rapidly in the UK as urban buildings are renovated without preserving their nesting access points, making nest site provision a critical welfare and conservation action.

Key Facts

UK swift populations have declined by 57% since 1995, driven primarily by loss of nesting access in buildings
Swifts nest almost exclusively in holes and gaps in buildings in the UK
They return to the same nest sites year after year for their entire adult lives of up to 20+ years
Swift bricks and nest boxes can provide alternative access when original holes are lost to renovation
Planning guidance in some areas requires swift provision in building renovation projects

Welfare Considerations

Swift welfare is tied entirely to nest site availability - swifts cannot breed without appropriate nest access, making site loss a direct reproductive welfare harm. Individuals that return from Africa to find their historic nest site blocked show intense searching behaviour before eventually failing to breed. Swift bricks and boxes installed before renovation preserve this important breeding opportunity and support declining populations.

What You Can Do

Install a swift nest box on the south or east face of your building at eaves height
Ask your local council to include swift brick requirements in planning guidance
Check buildings before renovation for active swift nests (protected by law from April to August)
Support Swift Conservation charity and local swift groups