Wildlife Welfare

Wild Swift Conservation and Nesting Welfare

Swifts face a nesting site crisis from building renovation blocking traditional nesting cavities, reducing breeding welfare and population success.

Key Facts

Swift populations have declined by over 50% in the UK since 1995
Traditional nesting cavities under eaves and in old buildings are lost to renovation
Swift bricks and nest boxes can be installed in new or renovated buildings
Swifts return faithfully to the same nest site year after year making site loss catastrophic
Planning guidance increasingly requires swift provision in new buildings

Welfare Considerations

Swift nesting site loss causes breeding failure and population decline. Individual breeding pairs losing nest sites may never successfully breed again. Provision of nest sites in new and renovated buildings directly prevents welfare harm and population loss.

What You Can Do

Install swift bricks or nest boxes on suitable buildings before renovation removes natural cavities
Advocate for planning requirements mandating swift nest provision in new developments
Support RSPB and Action for Swifts campaigns for swift conservation