Wildlife

Wild Swift Nesting Conservation

Common swifts are in significant decline due to loss of nest sites in modern buildings, with relatively simple architectural interventions preventing local population collapse.

Key Facts

Swifts nest in cavities under roof eaves and inside roof spaces of older buildings
Modern building construction with sealed eaves eliminates nest sites permanently
Swift bricks integrated into building fabric provide long-term nest sites
Swifts are highly faithful to nest sites and will return annually for decades
UK swift populations declined 58% between 1995 and 2020

Welfare Considerations

Loss of nest sites causes breeding failure for site-faithful swifts that cannot easily relocate. Building regulation requiring swift brick provision prevents loss of entire local populations.

What You Can Do

Install swift nest boxes or swift bricks on suitable buildings
Advocate for planning requirements mandating swift provision in new developments
Support local swift groups monitoring colonies and advocating for nest site protection
Record swift sightings and screaming party behaviour to identify active colonies