Blogger: Rachael Murray, Media Officer
Photo credit: Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
We are urging people in the East to carry on stepping up for swifts this summer, as these extraordinary birds start arriving in our big skies. Our Swift Search kicks off again this month, to help build a better picture of where the birds are still seen and could be nesting.
Swifts have declined by a third in recent years and they have been placed on the amber list, meaning they are of serious conservation concern. The causes of the decline are still unclear, but loss of nest sites due to building improvement or demolition is a major problem.
Swifts nest almost exclusively on buildings, especially old structures with lots of nooks and crannies. Almost all sightings in last year’s survey were swifts found nesting on buildings and over three quarters of them (77%), were found nesting in houses. Over half of the buildings were over ninety years old and exactly a quarter were built between 1919-1944. Which means my classic Norwich terrace should be a doozy.
So far we have now made almost 25,000 records of swifts around the UK available on the internet, via the National Biodiversity Network. It uses the information to encourage developers, local councils and building companies to retain or create nest sites. Some local councils and building companies have already started incorporating swift measures in their planning, protecting existing nest sites and installing swift boxes and ‘swift bricks’ which provide new nesting areas for the birds.
Our clever people at head office suggest a number of simple measures that could help the fast dwindling swift population:
The RSPB is appealing to us all to look out for groups of screaming swifts at roof level, a good sign they are breeding nearby, or where they have seen swifts nesting – perhaps entering a hole in the building or under a roof. They would like any sightings reported to them via their website at (www.rspb.org.uk/helpswifts).