%20long.png)
swifts in NPT
Find out more about these amazing birds and how you can help them below!
what is a swift?
-
Swifts are a species of bird that spend almost all their lives on the wing
-
Swifts migrate to the UK to breed. They fly from Africa to arrive here in May, before returning in August, that's a round trip of 12,000 miles!
-
Swifts only land when they enter their nest, the rest of the time they're flying. This means they can eat, sleep, bathe and even mate on the wing.
-
Swifts mate for life and return to the same nest site every year. So if you have swifts in your property, it will be the same pair returning year on year!
-
In summer evenings swifts group up and call out to each other. These groups are known as 'screaming parties' and the sound of summer for many people.
Why are swifts in trouble?
Numbers of swifts breeding in the UK have declined by 70% since 1995, the main reasons for this are thought to be:
-
Loss of nesting sites - as buildings are renovated or replaced, the gaps which swifts would have been using are disappearing. Swifts come back to the same nest site every year, so the loss of a nest site means a swift pair might not successfully breed that year.
-
Decreased insect numbers - swifts exclusively eat flying insects. Loss of habitat and increased use of chemicals means that insect numbers are in decline as well. Less insects means less food for both the adult swifts and their chicks.
-
Climate change - Weather patterns are becoming more unpredictable. Hotter summers means chicks are overheating in their nests, the weather for foraging is less consistent and migration timing might even be affected.
how you can help
Luckily there are many ways you can help swifts! To find out more, scroll down or click the menu below to navigate to a section most relevant to you:
submit a swift sighting
Help us record swifts in Neath Port Talbot! These charismatic birds visit our towns in the summer, migrating all the way from Africa. They rely on us for nesting sites, squeezing through tiny gaps in roofs to raise their chicks. But building renovation is causing nest sites to disappear. This, as well as declining insect numbers, has caused swifts in the UK to decline by 60% between 1995 and 2020. Submitting your sighting helps us monitor the local population, identify nest sites and locate where nest boxes could be fitted.
Is it a swift?
Swifts can sometimes be confused with other similar-looking birds, namely swallows, house martins and sand martins. Here are some key features to look out for to help you tell them apart:
tell us about your sighting here
sightings from previous years
Swift sightings in 2024
Swift sightings in 2025
Swift sightings in 2024
Provide swifts with nesting spaces
renovate mindfully
If you have swifts in your property already and are planning to renovate, there are many ways that you can retain the nesting holes depending on where the swifts nest.
Swifts are site faithful, so they return to the same nest site every year. Even if a box is placed next to where a hole used to be, swifts often try and get into where they've previously nested, and can hurt themselves in the process.
It is always better to retain a nest site than retrofit a box.
REMEMBER!
Nesting swifts are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. It is illegal to disturb, obstruct, damage, destroy or prevent entry to any active swift nest.
Follow these rules when doing building works:
-
Do not work on the roof during the May-August nesting season
-
Do not block their access with scaffolding - swifts need a clear flight path
-
Adapt your building works to allow swifts to access their nest sites in future years, see below for guidance
swift conservation renovation guides
Swift Conservation has helpful guides on retaining swift nesting spaces while you're renovating:
MAKE A SWIFT!
Help raise awareness about swifts by making your very own Selwyn or Seren!
It could be as simple as making a swift and telling your friends and family what you've learnt about them. Or your community group could create a whole screaming party of swifts for a display!
Tag us on social media to show us your makes @NPTwildlife or @Neath Port Talbot Local Nature Partnership and use the hashtag #selwyntheswift or #serentheswift
Learn more about swifts
for everyone
come on a swift walk
Every year in July we run swift walks which are free to attend. Keep an eye on our events page in the Spring for dates:
for adults
There are several nature writing books which focus on swifts. Copies of some of these are available to borrow in Neath Port Talbot Libraries.
for kids
There are a couple of kids books on swifts. Copies of some of these are available to borrow in Neath Port Talbot Libraries.
kids swift activities
Below are some of our swift activities which you can download to learn more about swifts!
Swift Safari activity booklet
Booklet with colouring page, facts, quiz, maze activity and wordsearch
Swift colouring page
Colouring in sheet where you can also draw your own swift!
Make your own flapping swift!
Activity where you can colour in, cut out and make your swift fly!
Note: 2 split pins needed
The Migration Game
A perfect activity for school classes and community groups!
Note: Cones and bean bags or similar needed
What we've been doing for swifts in NPT
