How can we encourage a return of the Swifts?

We hear them before we see them, their shrill, piercing calls; then the swoop of scimitar-shaped wings silhouetted against the sky, tells us swifts – that harbinger of summer – are back in the valley!

Did you know swifts spend their lives on the wing, eating and sleeping in flight and only landing to breed? They are fast, and except for humans, have very few predators. They eat airborne insects like aphids and mosquitoes.

Every spring, they make the perilous journey from central and southern Africa to Europe to breed. Juvenile birds fly past possible nest sites ‘banging’ the entrance. In their fourth summer they mate. Pairing for life, they return to the same nest year after year. Gregarious birds, swifts nest in colonies - the size of which is determined by availability of food and potential nests.

Habitat loss

But the UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world and swifts, like many other species, are suffering. Since 1995, we have lost half our swifts. Increased use of pesticides and insecticides and habitat loss have sent insect numbers (their only food source) plummeting. Swifts are also losing nest sites. Although, by law, you may not harm them or damage their nests, many houses are being ‘tidied-up’ illegally, losing vital nests. If a nest is destroyed, swifts will die, bashing themselves against the old opening, trying to get in. And new builds rarely install swift boxes.

Without our help swifts will become extinct in the UK.

Install a Swift Box

In 2014, Julie FitzGerald had an idea to help swifts in our area. Working with FLEWG, 24 nest nest boxes were installed around the two villages. Middle Stoke now has a colony of four breeding pairs. The colony around the school has increased to seven pairs, with another two near the station.

You can help too. If you don’t have a swift box, could you install one? It needs to be at least four metres above ground, with a clear flight path to the entrance. Boxes are easy to build, or you can buy one. For more information visit www.bristolswifts.co.uk/.

Another thing everyone can do is provide swifts with food by making gardens more insect and wildlife friendly.

Article by Sarah Fraser