With reports of single swifts still being spotted in the skies across the UK, check out this guest post from Ciaran McLarnon, our volunteer urban nature advisor -
Swifts are one of our most charismatic summer visitors. Every year, they fascinate us with their fast paced, acrobatic flight and their distinctive screaming calls, as they zoom above us in our towns and cities.
These birds spend almost their entire lives on the wing. In fact, the only time they touch ground is when they arrive here with us in the summer to breed and raise their young. They are closely tied with our built environment, using the cracks and crevices of buildings to nest within. Swifts have been using sites such as these for hundreds of years, as their natural nesting habitat, such as cliffs and ancient woodland have declined and disappeared.
Although much loved by many people, swifts are increasingly under threat. Within a remarkably short period of time, swifts have experienced significant declines. For instance, between 1995 and 2011 they have declined by 30 per cent in the UK and Ireland. As a result of these declines, the swift is now listed as an amber species of conservation concern.
The main reason behind these declines is thought to be a loss of suitable nesting sites. Modern building techniques and regulations, refurbishment and redevelopment have meant that these birds are finding it increasingly difficult to find a home in our modern built environments.
Since 2013, the Belfast swift city project has been surveying the city to identify key swift colonies. This information will allow us to target key areas to help protect and enhance swift colonies found there. This year, a committed team of volunteers took to the streets of Belfast to find out exactly where these amazing birds are nesting. Volunteers covered survey areas throughout the city and, once again, it was in the south where most nests were found.
In total 75 nest sites were identified in the 2015 survey. The majority of these were found within the Village area of south Belfast, which is quickly gaining a reputation as a swift hotspot! After three years of surveying we are gaining knowledge of a number of important areas for the species. This information allows us to target conservation work in these areas to help the species. One way of doing this is to influence planners and developers to incorporate wildlife friendly measures within their work. Purpose built swift bricks can be incorporated into the design of new build projects and readily provide nesting space in new developments.
We are also working with local communities in key areas to help swifts and other urban wildlife. For example, we are currently working with the Greater Village Regeneration Trust which is developing an action plan to help nature within the Village area. This will have positive impacts for the people who live here, through greater opportunities to engage and connect with nature.
Over the coming years we will continue to survey for these fantastic birds. The more information we can gather, the better equipped we are to deliver conservation advice in key areas and ultimately help this increasingly threatened species. 2015 has been a success, reaffirming the importance of south Belfast as a swift hotspot and the need to influence those working and living within the area to do things to help this species. This work would not be possible without our team of dedicated volunteers who spent a number of summer nights looking for swifts entering and leaving nest sites.
As we go into a new year it will not be too long before our summer visitors return from their winter in Africa. With their arrival, begins the process of looking at roof height for any sign of a nest. I cannot wait!
To get involved in the 2016 swift surveys, please email philip.carson@rspb.org.uk