Wildlife

Wild Swift Conservation and Nest Site Protection

Common swifts are in rapid decline, with nest site loss from building renovation the primary driver requiring active protection.

Key Facts

UK swift populations have declined by 60% since 1995, primarily due to building renovation
Swifts nest exclusively in cavities in older buildings and have high nest site fidelity
Swift bricks and nest boxes can be incorporated into new and renovated buildings
Swifts spend the winter in sub-Saharan Africa and are only present in the UK May-August
Planning policy in some councils now requires swift bricks in certain developments

Welfare Considerations

Loss of nest sites causes swift pairs to lose their breeding opportunity entirely. Swifts that cannot find nest sites fail to breed, with the welfare cost compounding over their 15-20 year lifespan. Incorporating swift bricks into building projects is a low-cost welfare and conservation intervention.

What You Can Do

Install swift nest boxes or bricks on suitable buildings before May
Advocate for swift bricks as a planning requirement for new buildings
Record swift colonies to your local swift group for site protection