Swift Conservation with Ben Stammers North Wales Wildlife Trust

By Sophie Day

At the start of December, the Pioneer Environment team came together for our annual Staff Spectacular—a chance for colleagues from all our offices to meet up, catch up, top up our CPD training, and unwind after a busy survey season before celebrating at our Christmas Party. This year, we were delighted to welcome Ben Stammers from the North Wales Wildlife Trust, who gave a brilliant and inspiring talk about swift conservation in North Wales and the steps we can all take to help protect these incredible birds.

Swifts in North Wales: The Summer Visitors Worth Looking Up For

Every May, a familiar sound returns to the skies of North Wales: a sharp, joyous screeching overhead as swifts slice through the air. Whether you’re in a coastal town or inland communitiesc, these energetic birds are a highlight of the summer months. But despite their incredible resilience, swifts are facing real challenges, and they need our help.

Why Swifts Are So Special

 Swifts (Apus apus) are truly extraordinary birds:

• They can live up to 20 years and spend almost their entire lives in the air, around 300 days of the year, and will remain airborne for the first 2-3 years after fledging. They eat, drink, sleep, and mate on the wing, landing only to breed.

• They are incredibly fast, reaching speeds of up to 69mph, making them one of the fastest birds in level flight.

• They’re global travellers, migrating thousands of miles between sub-Saharan Africa and the UK. It’s estimated that a swift may fly up to 4 million miles in their lifetime.

• Their arrival marks the start of summer. In North Wales, the first swifts typically arrive in early May and leave again by early August.

Why Swifts Are in Trouble

In the past few decades swift numbers have decreased by and estimated 76% in Wales and 68% across the rest of the UK. Swifts are now classified as Red-listed in the UK, meaning they are of highest conservation concern. Key reasons include:

1. Loss of nesting sites - Renovated or re-rendered buildings often block the tiny holes swifts rely on. Even minor repairs can unintentionally destroy nest spaces.

2. Decline in insect populations - Swifts eat only flying insects. Fewer insects mean less food.

3. Climate challenges - Extreme weather can delay migration, damage nests, or reduce food availability.

Swifts are protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it illegal to harm them or disturb their eggs or active nests. Nesting sites may be removed only once the birds have stopped actively nesting. This has sparked debate, as swifts typically return to the same nesting spots year after year.

How You Can Help Swifts in North Wales and Beyond

The good news? Swifts are very easy to help. Even small actions make a big difference.

1. Put Up a Swift Nest Box

   Swift nest boxes are inexpensive and can be installed on almost any building, ideally:

   • At least 5 metres off the ground

   • With a clear flight path

   • On a shaded or north-facing wall

   • Near other boxes (swifts love small colonies)

   Many local groups—like the North Wales Swift Group and community wildlife volunteers—offer advice and sometimes even installation assistance.

   
   

2. Install Swift Bricks in New Builds

   If you’re planning an extension or a new build, ask your architect or builder to include swift bricks. These are long-lasting, unobtrusive, and provide safe nesting for decades.

   
   

3. Protect Existing Nest Sites

   If swifts already use your roof, the best thing you can do is keep the access available.If repairs are necessary, they should be timed for late autumn or winter.

   
   

4. Support Local Conservation Projects

   Across North Wales, swift projects monitor colonies, map nests, and run community awareness events. Getting involved—even casually—helps tremendously.

   
   

5. Report Nest Sites

   Recording swift nests on platforms like Swift Mapper helps conservationists understand local populations and protect important sites.

How to Identify a Swift (vs Swallow or House Martin)

Swifts can be mistaken for other summer migrants, but there are some clear differences:

• Dark, almost black body

• Pale throat patch rather than the red of a swallow

• Screaming calls rather than chirps

• Never land on wires (swallows and martins do)

• Never build mud nests, preferring cavities in buildings and under eaves.

The Joy of Swift Watching

There’s something thrillingly uplifting about watching swifts gather in “screaming parties” on warm summer evenings—racing through narrow streets or looping over rooftops. They don’t stay long in the UK, but during their brief visit they add an unmistakable energy to our towns and skies.

For many people across the UK, swifts are not just birds but a cherished part of the year’s rhythm—a sign that summer has arrived and nature is still full of wonder.

Swifts have shared our buildings for centuries, but they now depend on us more than ever. By creating or protecting nest sites, supporting local conservation work, or simply spreading the word, anyone can help ensure these remarkable birds continue to grace our skies.

If you’d like to get involved in swift conservation or want more information, check out Swift-Conservation.org and Action for Swifts.