Apologies if this has been posted before....
Britain’s older houses are playing a crucial role in supporting the country’s declining Common Swift population, according to the results of an RSPB survey.
A nationwide plea for Common Swift sightings has revealed the critical role that Britain’s householders play in the future of this declining species. Almost all Common Swifts recorded were found nesting on buildings with more than three quarters of them (77 per cent) nesting in houses
Thousands of people reported the unmistakable screams of Common Swifts around their roofs last summer to the RSPB, or told the wildlife charity where they were actually nesting. The results from the first year of data collection show that the strongholds are in the older parts of our cities, towns and villages, although they will use new buildings too
This means that home and business owners, builders and developers all play a fundamental role in protecting this species which has declined dramatically in recent years and the wants to develop a detailed ‘inventory’ of specific locations that Common Swift uses to raise its families so they can focus efforts to help its rapidly declining population.
The detailed results reveal that of the houses where Common Swifts were nesting:
more than half (51 per cent) were built before 1919
exactly a quarter were built between 1919-1944
more than half (52 per cent) had been known nesting sites for more than 10 years
almost a fifth (16 per cent) were considered threatened
almost 5 per cent of nests were recorded in churches, proving how ideal old buildings are as nesting sites.
Many churches are undergoing preservation work which could unintentionally cause the loss of nesting sites, so church groups can help this fantastic bird too. The remaining 20 per cent of nests were located in buildings like schools and flats.
Common Swift numbers have declined significantly in recent years and while it’s not yet clear why, the RSPB believes that many suffer as a result of the loss of nest sites through building improvement or demolition. Their nests are protected by law while in use, so make sure any repair work or maintenance on your home happens before they arrive in mid-May, or after they leave in mid-August.
Sarah Niemann, RSPB Species Recovery Officer says: “The scream of the Common Swift marks the start of the summer for many people. To think that we are losing them at such a fast rate is devastating.
“This is the first time we’ve had such data available on this scale, and it’s a great start. Now we want to continue building these records, which will make a huge difference to the future of Common Swifts in the UK.”
I spent an hour watching the swifts flying above my house last night. What an amazing sight watching them weaving in an out with such speed and agility. I will really miss them when they leave in August. Such a fascinating species, on the wing for the majority of their lives, eating, sleeping, mating, stopping only to nest in May.
It is so sad that they are in decline and have been for some time. The majority of reports do not claim to know for sure the reasons why, although climate change is a probable factor, along with man destroying their habitat.
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