Wildlife

Wild Swallow Swift House Martin Nesting Welfare

Urban populations of aerial insectivores including swallows, swifts and house martins face welfare threats from nest destruction during building renovation and insect decline.

Key Facts

House martin nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 once built
Planning guidance recommends avoiding renovation work during the breeding season (April-August)
Swift nest box retrofits during building renovation compensate for lost nest sites
All three aerial insectivore species have declined significantly due to insect food source loss
Swift colonies return to exactly the same nest entrance hole each year with exceptional site fidelity

Welfare Considerations

Urban aerial insectivore welfare requires both nest site protection and insect food supply. Building renovation practices that destroy nests and landscapes that suppress insects threaten these species simultaneously.

What You Can Do

Install swift bricks or house martin cups when renovating buildings
Avoid building work near occupied nest sites between April and August
Plant insect-rich native plants to support aerial insectivore food supply