Scotland’s wildlife is amazing, but it's in crisis. We want to see greater protection for all nature and greater commitment to action on species recovery specifically, including for some of Scotland’s most iconic wildlife. In today’s blog David Hunt, Senior Conservation Officer, tells us why he's picked Swifts as his favourite Scottish species.
Why are Swifts important to Scotland?
Although Swifts are not present across all of Scotland, to many people, especially in our towns and cities, Swifts are one of the sights and sounds of summer. They’re not here for long as well which makes their stay even more special. They’ll travel to Scotland from Africa, arriving in early May and by August they’re off south again back to Africa!
Tell us about a time you saw a Swift in real life/up close?
I was sat in the garden one evening last summer and all of a sudden two Swifts came screaming overhead. For a couple of minutes they repeatedly brushed up against a neighbour’s house and landed on the brickwork meaning I got incredible views. These were probably young birds on the look out for future nest sites before they migrated south to Africa for the winter
Where do Swifts usually live?
Swifts generally breed high up under the eaves of roofs on buildings including houses and churches. They will also nest in special Swift nestboxes! Swifts are very fast fliers and so need a high building to take off from. When they’re not at the nest, Swifts are pretty much entirely airborne! They feed and even sleep whilst flying.
What do Swifts need to survive/thrive?
Insects! And lots and lots of them! When they have hungry chicks to feed, adult Swifts need to catch up to 10,000 insects per day!!!!
Swifts in flight. Ben Andrew
What’s a fun/surprising fact about Swifts?
Swifts are screamers! Part of the incredible appeal of Swifts is their high-pitched screaming calls which makes me think of warm, summer evenings when screaming parties of them zoom overhead. Oh and did I mention they are fast!!! One bird was tracked at an incredible 69mph. As a result they don’t have many predators! You’ve got to be quick if you want to catch a Swift!
Can you tell us a short personal story about Swifts?
Growing up, Swifts nested in the house next door to us and one morning I woke up to a Swift hooked on to the blind in our bathroom, having flown in through an open window! I will probably never get a better view of a Swift ever again. Thankfully the Swift was able to exit via the open window again. I wonder how many times that bird had been to Africa and back?
Learn more about our #SaveScotSpecies campaign here, and pick your favourite species here. Don’t forget to send our digital postcard to your MSPs asking them to make species recovery a priority.
Main image: A close up of a Swift. Ben Andrew