But what are swifts?<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/bmh-sr\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/178\/2026\/03\/Swift-bird-300x200.jpg\")
Swifts are migratory birds\u00a0that make\u00a0an immense\u00a0round trip\u00a0each year\u00a0from their winter-feeding grounds in Sub-Saharan Africa to their summer nest sites across Europe. This puts around\u00a014,000 miles on the clock, making them one of the great long-distance migrators.\u00a0They are also the fastest bird\u00a0for\u00a0level flight in the UK, reaching a rapid 70\u00a0mph!\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, what makes swifts so special is that they spend\u00a0almost their\u00a0entire lives in the air, catching insects, drinking, mating and even sleeping mid-flight. They are so well suited to this unique lifestyle that their legs and feet are completely unsuitable for landing on the ground and walking, giving\u00a0them\u00a0their\u00a0Latin\u00a0name \u2018Apodidae<\/i>\u2019,\u00a0meaning\u00a0\u2018no feet\u2019.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Swifts only land to nest in the summer, which they do\u00a0on\u00a0the eaves and cracks of our buildings. They return to the same site with the same partner for their whole lives, which can be up to 20 years.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, along with other cavity-nesting birds such as starlings and house sparrows, swifts have seen a massive decline in the last few decades. In the UK, we have lost\u00a068% of our swifts since 1995<\/a>.\u00a0There are\u00a0two\u00a0main reasons for this:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n- Insect decline:\u00a0<\/b>The UK has experienced a significant drop in insect biomass in the last few decades. Flying insects, the main food source for swifts,\u00a0saw a\u00a063%\u00a0decline\u00a0from 2004\u00a0to\u00a02024.<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Loss of nest sites:<\/b>\u00a0The renovation and demolition of old buildings\u00a0mean\u00a0swifts are losing their existing nest sites in cracks and under eaves. The modern buildings that replace them have no room for cavity nesting birds,\u00a0leading to\u00a0a lack of\u00a0appropriate nest\u00a0sites.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What can be done to counteract this loss?\u00a0<\/h3>\n
As part of the wider movement towards a nature-positive campus, there are\u00a0a number of\u00a0initiatives around the University that aim to boost the biodiversity of insects.\u00a0These include\u00a0wildflower patches such as the one behind the Main Library<\/a>,\u00a0green roofs on the National Graphene Building<\/a>\u00a0and participation in\u00a0No\u00a0Mow May.<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\nSome other institutions, such as\u00a0University College London<\/a>,\u00a0go a step further and install swift boxes on\u00a0their academic buildings. These are often accompanied by audio caller systems that will attract young or displaced birds to\u00a0the new\u00a0nest sites,\u00a0turning the campus into a swift city.\u00a0<\/p>\nWhat can you do?\u00a0<\/h3>\n
As part of the wider\u00a0University community, both students and staff can\u00a0play their\u00a0part\u00a0in supporting\u00a0swift populations.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
If you are a homeowner or know any homeowners, putting up swift boxes\/bricks on the side of your house can provide a forever home for these birds to return to every summer and counteract the loss of nest sites.\u00a0As well as providing\u00a0replacement\u00a0nests\u00a0in the form of boxes\/bricks, it is also necessary to protect existing\u00a0nests\u00a0so that these can continue to be used by returning swifts.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
If you see a swift flying in and out from under eaves or in cracks in an old building,\u00a0then you can record this as a swift nest on\u00a0Swift Mapper<\/a>. Swift\u00a0Mapper is a free, easy-to-use conservation mapping tool put together by the\u00a0Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0several\u00a0swift conservation groups across the UK.\u00a0Swifts and their nests are protected by law under the\u00a0Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981<\/a>. The data from\u00a0Swift Mapper\u00a0can be used to\u00a0identify\u00a0where active nest sites should be protected, and where new\u00a0nests\u00a0sites should be provided.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\nAnother platform where you can record sightings of swifts is the\u00a0University\u2019s\u00a0Biodiversity\u00a0On\u00a0Campus\u00a0Project\u00a0on iNaturalist<\/a>.\u00a0Each sighting contributes to a database that can be used by scientists and researchers to inform future actions and the conservation of swifts.\u00a0<\/p>\nFinally, you can help support insect populations by planting\u00a0pollinator-friendly\u00a0plants. Mow\u00a0your\u00a0lawn less\u00a0frequently,\u00a0allowing time for\u00a0flowering plants and\u00a0wild grasses\u00a0to bloom and provide food and habitat for critters. Provide water for wildlife by creating mini-ponds or butterfly paddling stations and avoid using pesticides in your garden.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Additional\u00a0information\u00a0<\/h3>\n
Rachel Zanetti is a final-year undergraduate in<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>B<\/span>iology<\/span>. Her\u00a0<\/span>final-year<\/span>\u00a0Environmental Sustainability Project supervisor is Dr Maggy\u00a0<\/span>Fostier<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Read more about Environmental Sustainability Projects (ESPs) and their\u00a0<\/span>contributions to<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>university<\/span>-wide initiatives.<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nFor more information on her project and swift conservation:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n- Guidance on swift bricks<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Guidance on making custom swift bricks<\/a><\/li>\n
- Guidance on swift boxes and nesting sites<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Guidance on using Swift Mapper<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Guidance on insect friendly planting<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
To find out more about Environmental Sustainability in FBMH, visit the\u00a0Faculty\u2019s\u00a0intranet page<\/a>,\u00a0website<\/a>\u00a0or contact\u00a0srbmh@manchester.ac.uk<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_nav _builder_version=”3.0.106″ in_same_term=”off” show_prev=”on” show_next=”on” prev_text=”Previous” next_text=”Next” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” \/][et_pb_comments _builder_version=”3.0.106″ show_avatar=”on” show_reply=”on” show_count=”on” background_layout=”light” header_font_size_tablet=”51″ header_line_height_tablet=”2″ custom_button=”on” button_icon_placement=”right” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_use_icon=”off” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover=”null” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”null” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover=”null” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover=”null” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover=”null” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover=”null” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover=”null” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover=”null” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover=”null” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover=”null” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover=”null” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover=”null” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Related posts” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ background_layout=”light” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off”]<\/p>\n
Related<\/h1>\nRelated posts:<\/h3>
Swifts are migratory birds\u00a0that make\u00a0an immense\u00a0round trip\u00a0each year\u00a0from their winter-feeding grounds in Sub-Saharan Africa to their summer nest sites across Europe. This puts around\u00a014,000 miles on the clock, making them one of the great long-distance migrators.\u00a0They are also the fastest bird\u00a0for\u00a0level flight in the UK, reaching a rapid 70\u00a0mph!\u00a0<\/p>\n- \n
- Insect decline:\u00a0<\/b>The UK has experienced a significant drop in insect biomass in the last few decades. Flying insects, the main food source for swifts,\u00a0saw a\u00a063%\u00a0decline\u00a0from 2004\u00a0to\u00a02024.<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Loss of nest sites:<\/b>\u00a0The renovation and demolition of old buildings\u00a0mean\u00a0swifts are losing their existing nest sites in cracks and under eaves. The modern buildings that replace them have no room for cavity nesting birds,\u00a0leading to\u00a0a lack of\u00a0appropriate nest\u00a0sites.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What can be done to counteract this loss?\u00a0<\/h3>\n
As part of the wider movement towards a nature-positive campus, there are\u00a0a number of\u00a0initiatives around the University that aim to boost the biodiversity of insects.\u00a0These include\u00a0wildflower patches such as the one behind the Main Library<\/a>,\u00a0green roofs on the National Graphene Building<\/a>\u00a0and participation in\u00a0No\u00a0Mow May.<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Some other institutions, such as\u00a0University College London<\/a>,\u00a0go a step further and install swift boxes on\u00a0their academic buildings. These are often accompanied by audio caller systems that will attract young or displaced birds to\u00a0the new\u00a0nest sites,\u00a0turning the campus into a swift city.\u00a0<\/p>\n
What can you do?\u00a0<\/h3>\n
As part of the wider\u00a0University community, both students and staff can\u00a0play their\u00a0part\u00a0in supporting\u00a0swift populations.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
If you are a homeowner or know any homeowners, putting up swift boxes\/bricks on the side of your house can provide a forever home for these birds to return to every summer and counteract the loss of nest sites.\u00a0As well as providing\u00a0replacement\u00a0nests\u00a0in the form of boxes\/bricks, it is also necessary to protect existing\u00a0nests\u00a0so that these can continue to be used by returning swifts.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
If you see a swift flying in and out from under eaves or in cracks in an old building,\u00a0then you can record this as a swift nest on\u00a0Swift Mapper<\/a>. Swift\u00a0Mapper is a free, easy-to-use conservation mapping tool put together by the\u00a0Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0several\u00a0swift conservation groups across the UK.\u00a0Swifts and their nests are protected by law under the\u00a0Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981<\/a>. The data from\u00a0Swift Mapper\u00a0can be used to\u00a0identify\u00a0where active nest sites should be protected, and where new\u00a0nests\u00a0sites should be provided.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Another platform where you can record sightings of swifts is the\u00a0University\u2019s\u00a0Biodiversity\u00a0On\u00a0Campus\u00a0Project\u00a0on iNaturalist<\/a>.\u00a0Each sighting contributes to a database that can be used by scientists and researchers to inform future actions and the conservation of swifts.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finally, you can help support insect populations by planting\u00a0pollinator-friendly\u00a0plants. Mow\u00a0your\u00a0lawn less\u00a0frequently,\u00a0allowing time for\u00a0flowering plants and\u00a0wild grasses\u00a0to bloom and provide food and habitat for critters. Provide water for wildlife by creating mini-ponds or butterfly paddling stations and avoid using pesticides in your garden.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Additional\u00a0information\u00a0<\/h3>\n
Rachel Zanetti is a final-year undergraduate in<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>B<\/span>iology<\/span>. Her\u00a0<\/span>final-year<\/span>\u00a0Environmental Sustainability Project supervisor is Dr Maggy\u00a0<\/span>Fostier<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Read more about Environmental Sustainability Projects (ESPs) and their\u00a0<\/span>contributions to<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>university<\/span>-wide initiatives.<\/span><\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
For more information on her project and swift conservation:\u00a0<\/p>\n
- \n
- Guidance on swift bricks<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Guidance on making custom swift bricks<\/a><\/li>\n
- Guidance on swift boxes and nesting sites<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Guidance on using Swift Mapper<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n
- Guidance on insect friendly planting<\/a>\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
To find out more about Environmental Sustainability in FBMH, visit the\u00a0Faculty\u2019s\u00a0intranet page<\/a>,\u00a0website<\/a>\u00a0or contact\u00a0srbmh@manchester.ac.uk<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_post_nav _builder_version=”3.0.106″ in_same_term=”off” show_prev=”on” show_next=”on” prev_text=”Previous” next_text=”Next” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” \/][et_pb_comments _builder_version=”3.0.106″ show_avatar=”on” show_reply=”on” show_count=”on” background_layout=”light” header_font_size_tablet=”51″ header_line_height_tablet=”2″ custom_button=”on” button_icon_placement=”right” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_use_icon=”off” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover=”null” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”null” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover=”null” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover=”null” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover=”null” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover=”null” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover=”null” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover=”null” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover=”null” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover=”null” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover=”null” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover=”null” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Related posts” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ background_layout=”light” locked=”on” parent_locked=”off”]<\/p>\n
Related<\/h1>\n
Related posts:<\/h3>
- Guidance on making custom swift bricks<\/a><\/li>\n
- Loss of nest sites:<\/b>\u00a0The renovation and demolition of old buildings\u00a0mean\u00a0swifts are losing their existing nest sites in cracks and under eaves. The modern buildings that replace them have no room for cavity nesting birds,\u00a0leading to\u00a0a lack of\u00a0appropriate nest\u00a0sites.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n