• Aims

  Concern for Swifts (Scotland) is a project.
  
  The main objective is to retain swift colonies by safeguarding existing nest sites.

• Why Concern for Swifts?

  Swifts are a familiar part of summer. It would be a great loss if the summer skies no longer played host to their aerial chasing and screaming. We believe that action is needed to prevent their loss

• Legal and Advisory

  It's an offence to intentionally or recklessly take, damage, destroy or interfere with a nest of any wild bird while it is in use or to obstruct or prevent any wild bird from using its nest

• Where Swifts Nest or Nested

  Swifts have adapted to nesting almost exclusively in buildings, but very occasionally nest in trees or caves. Basically they nest in suitable holes.

• Threats & Mitigation

  The success of mitigation measures depends largely on the ability to retain existing nest sites or to recreate nest sites in exactly the same position as those lost

• Scaffolding

  If you are installing scaffolding during the nesting season be aware that it may obstruct access to a nest site, even if it does not block off the entrance itself

• Some of the best projects

  Diligent contractors and developers hold the key to successful swift conservation projects

• Purpose-built new sites

  This is a selection of some of the best purpose-built nest sites, but not necessarily the most successful in getting swifts to nest

• Retro-fitting swift boxes

  While retro-fitting should be a last resort, it is sometimes the only option considered. It seems to be favoured where publicity is the main purpose of the exercise.

• Off-the-peg swift nests

  New construction in appropriate locations should aim to incorporate nest sites and there are some off-the-peg solutions. Pre-fabricated nest boxes are available in a variety of shapes and sizes – not all of them suitable!

• What can go wrong

  In many cases what can go wrong is down to communication errors and human reluctance to attend to detail