An important focus of the concern for our Swift populations is loss of nest sites due to modern building practices.   

Introduction

Swifts (Apus apus) are summer visitors to Britain, arriving in Scotland from Africa at the beginning of May and leaving in August. It is thought that swifts originally nested in crevices in cliffs and holes in trees. More recently they have adapted to nesting almost exclusively in buildings.

In Glasgow, swifts nest mainly in the older sandstone properties and in the peripheral housing estates built in 1930s to 1950s. They are recorded as nesting in church towers, under tiled roofs and under eaves of buildings where they gain access via gaps and cracks in stonework, brick or concrete.

Loss of Nest Sites

As the City’s housing needs change many of the old tenemental style properties are replaced with modern houses which are not suitable for nesting. In addition, as older properties are being renovated and repaired gaps are being sealed up and ventilation spaces covered, excluding the swifts from these traditional nest sites. As there is a connection between loss of nest sites and loss of breeding colonies, it is important to take action to ensure future nest site availability.

Swift Sightings

If you have seen swifts in your local area or know of any buildings they are nesting in, Glasgow’s Biodiversity Officers would like to hear from you. They can be contacted on 0141 287 5665/7026 or e-mail: biological.records@csglasgow.org