Wildlife

UK Swift Colony Conservation: Urban Welfare

Common swifts are in decline in the UK due to loss of nesting sites in modern buildings, with simple interventions available to reverse this trend.

Key Facts

UK swift populations declined by approximately 60% between 1995 and 2022
Swifts nest in cavities in older buildings that are lost through renovation and new-build design
Swift bricks and boxes can be incorporated into buildings during construction or renovation at low cost
Swifts return to the same nest site year after year, making site preservation critical

Welfare Considerations

Individual swift welfare is affected by nest site availability and food supply. Swifts that cannot find nest sites fail to breed, with welfare implications for their reproductive drive and social behaviour. Swift bricks in new buildings and retrofitting in renovations are simple, permanent conservation contributions.

What You Can Do

Include swift bricks when building or renovating property
Support planning policy that requires swift nest provision in new residential developments
Join your local swift group and participate in monitoring and colony support