Swifts are remarkable birds. They are our fastest flying bird (in level flight – peregrines are faster when stooping on prey) and spend the first three or four years of their lives in the air, never coming in to land. They eat, sleep and mate on the wing. They live on average for 5 years, however the oldest recorded Swift was 18 and it is estimated that it flew over 4 million miles in its life time. However, swifts are in trouble. Surveys have shown that that their population has halved in the UK over the last 20 years. Indeed they are now amber listed. A lot of research has gone in to the reasons for this decline. Other species appeared to have suffered as a result of climate change. This does not seem to be a factor in the decline in swift numbers. Their arrival dates haven’t altered (usually the first week in May) and the habitat in their wintering grounds is little changed. Is the lack of nesting sites a factor? Many of the swifts’ traditional nesting sites, such old chapels, schools etc. have been demolished or renovated, with the resultant loss of nesting sites.

The Glamorgan Bird Club together with Swift Conservation are working to try and reduce this decline by erecting nest boxes. The main problem is that swifts do not take readily to boxes. They nest in loose colonies and are more likely to use boxes that are close to existing nest sites. (Experiments have been undertaken by playing Swift calls to attract birds to nest boxes with a fair degree of success). We need to know where swifts are nesting and this is where we need your help. We hope to recruit a number of “Swift Champions” who can survey their local area and pin-point where swifts are nesting. It isn’t as easy as you’d think, however we can help with survey methods. Also we’d like you to spread the word – tell your neighbours about these fantastic birds. Encourage them to erect nest boxes under their eaves. If you know of a building that is being renovated, where swifts have bred, encourage the developers to incorporate swift bricks or boxes as part of their plans.