Swifts mate for life and will return to the same nest site each year. Historically, Swifts would have nested in holes in large trees, cliffs and crevices. However, today's UK population depends almost entirely on buildings for nest sites. Spending 10 months of the year in the air, they commute between English summers and African winters. They feed, sleep and mate on the wing. It is no surprise then that they hold the title of the UK’s fastest bird in level flight, reaching speeds of 70 miles per hour! Only the Peregrine Falcon is faster, but this bird must have gravity on its side to reach those speeds.
Swifts are in trouble: they have been declining in recent years. This has been linked to a similar decline in insect numbers and, some believe, the effects of the Housing and Town Planning Act of 1919. This act saw 200,000 homes built in just a few years. During this time, old houses with their loose stone, slate or brick roof tiles were forgotten, replaced by smoother builds. The nooks, for Swifts to nest in, lost. It is believed that 10% of all homes built before 1919 are able to harbour Swifts. For houses built after the Second World War, however, that figure falls to just 1%. Sadly, the number of Swifts keeps falling, with a 53% decline between 1995 and 2016 in the UK.
You can help, there is hope. We are aiming for Powys to be the first Swift County in the UK. Firstly, we must build our knowledge. We need volunteers to help us map the location of the Swifts when they return; the more records we have, the better. Then, and so importantly, we need your help building and installing nest boxes. If you have property that could provide Swift sanctuary, please get in touch. By installing one nest box you could create a whole new colony!
If you would like to get involved with our Swift Project, or would like to find out more, please contact Phoebe Neville-Evans: phoebe@montwt.co.uk
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