Swifts

Swifts return to the UK every summer and nest in the same place every year, establishing colonies that can last for centuries.

Between 1995 and 2016, the number of swifts has declined by 53% and these birds are now ‘amber’ listed as a Bird of Conservation Concern (BoCC).

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the swift as ‘endangered’ in the UK, most likely due to issues such as the decreasing numbers of their insect prey and loss of nest sites. 

Swifts rely on nest sites in buildings but many traditional sites disappear each year through renovation, insulation and demolition, while new buildings tend to exclude them from the spaces they normally use.

At Worcester 6, we are creating two wildlife structures, at least one of which will be designed specifically for swifts. The new nest site provision aims to establish a swift population on site so that future generations can continue to enjoy these beautiful birds.