The UK-SWIFTS PROJECT was created in early 2008 in an attempt to start building a database of all known Common Swift (Apus Apus) breeding sites in the United Kingdom in order that they may be protected. It has been such a resounding success that the operation of the database was taken over by the RSPB in May 2009.

The forum become inactive for a while but now it's back in time for the 2010 season.


WHY?
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The Swift population of the UK has crashed by 50% in the last seven years. If action is not taken soon, Swifts could disappear from the UK's summer skies forever.

It is widely believed that the demolition and/or renovation of the ageing human housing stock has deprived Swifts of many of their traditional breeding sites, and that this is the main cause of the population crash. However, the locations of successful colony sites are currently known only to local residents - if at all.

Please share your knowledge of probable Swift breeding colony locations by visiting the new RSPB site for monitoring Swifts in the UK : http//www.rspb.org.uk/thingstodo/surveys/swifts/index.asp

Please be aware that there is also an international discussion group covering Swallows, Martins and Swifts to be found at: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Swallows-Martins-Swifts-Worldwide/

Home page photo courtesy of Steve Bennett.

"Their flight is full of joy and their swiftness is breathtaking." Poet, Shira Twersky-Kassel