Swift flying to a nest box (credit: Nick Upton)
Swifts in the city
Summer wouldn’t be the same without the swift ‘screaming parties’ flying above our city streets. These aerial acrobats visit us for such a short time between May and August, returning to southern Africa once their intense breeding season is over. But these iconic birds need our help! They are now listed as a red data book species and many of their longstanding colonies in the UK are at risk.
As part of our Wilder Norwich project, we are partnering with the Norwich Swift Network to shine a light on the swifts in Norwich – and we would love you to get involved.
Six tips to help swifts:
- Protect existing nesting sites – don’t block access to them with bird guards or during roof renovations. This is one of the main reasons for their decline. If this can’t be avoided put up a swift box or install swift bricks.
- Keep the flight path (or swoop zone) to nesting sites clear of tall trees, high walls and foliage.
- Become a swift street. If you have a nesting colony nearby, put up a box and encourage your neighbours to do the same. Play calls to encourage the swifts to find them.
- Tell your councillors and MPs that you want them to mandate swift bricks in all new builds.
- Become a Swiftie. Tell other people how amazing they are; share the love!
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Look up! Get to know the swifts in your area and as you go about your daily life. Where are they nesting?