Every year, we look forward to the arrival of summer and the signs and sounds that signal these warmer, brighter days are approaching.
Migratory birds, like swifts, are often called ‘the sound of summer’. These remarkable travellers journey from Africa’s savannahs and forests to the towns and cities of the UK, before making their 14,000-mile round trip back (arriving in early May and leaving by mid-July.).
The RSPB reports that the numbers of these birds are decreasing at an alarming rate, with habitat loss and weather being significant factors for this decline. Swifts mate for life and return to the same nesting sites each year to raise their young. However, their nesting sites are also falling.
So, what can we all do to help these iconic birds? Their nesting sites are often under tiles and gaps in brickwork or older buildings. Modern buildings (built after 2000) or renovated older buildings now lack gaps and features that swifts need to reach and build their nests.
By looking for and recording nesting swifts in your area on swiftmapper.org.uk, you can help pinpoint where existing nest sites need protection, and, by doing this, identify new nesting opportunities nearby. You could grow wildflowers in your garden, attracting insects that swifts feed on. You could also install swift boxes to encourage nesting; swift-conservation.org is an excellent resource for finding out about ‘swift boxes’ or making your own DIY swift nestbox.
If you see any nesting swifts, please do consider reporting your sightings using the Swift Mapper so the RSPB can find and protect their nests.
Rebecca Krzyzosiak, co-chair of Sustainable Warminster and Iain Perkins, committee member
