health
‘Swifts spark joy!’ Why these beautiful birds need our help
Britain’s swift population fell by two-thirds between 1995 and 2023. Make their lives a little easier with a bit more food and more places to nest
TL;DR
- Swifts fly approximately 14,000 miles annually, spending nine months of the year in the air.
- The UK swift population has declined by 68% from 1995 to 2023.
- Loss of nesting sites due to changes in building management, construction, and renovation is a major factor in their decline.
- Declining insect populations and increased climate volatility also negatively impact swift breeding success.
- Ways to help include using the RSPB Swift Mapper app, installing swift bricks or boxes, and protecting insect habitats by planting flowering plants.
- It can take a few years for swifts to find and use new nesting sites, and patience is required.
- Helping grounded swifts involves gentle attempts to get them to fly or contacting swift carers.
- Citizen science projects and local involvement are crucial for effective swift conservation.