The Common Swift, (Apus apus), is a summer migrant breeding throughout Europe, north Africa and central Asia, and wintering in sub-Saharan Africa. In recent decades, Swift numbers have been in decline across much of its range. In Ireland, data from the Countryside Bird Survey (CBS), shows a 69% decline in Swifts between 1998-2023. (BWI, unpublished data). As a result, Swifts are now red listed as a species of conservation concern in Ireland. This decline is likely driven by several factors including a loss of nesting habitat, insect declines and factors associated with climate change.
An urban species, Swifts typically nest in small cavities in buildings and have been proven to nest in artificial nest boxes and bricks. Accurately assessing numbers and locations of nesting Swifts is key to protecting existing nest sites, determining the number of nest boxes and bricks required to bolster the population, and where best to locate them. As such, the objective of the swift survey is to gather robust data on the number and location of Swift nest sites in Enniscorthy and New Ross to underpin conservation measures taken for this species. The survey will be undertaken by Tara Adock and Jonathan Stanley of Birdwatch Ireland, funded jointly by the National Parks and Wildlife Service through the Local Biodiversity Action Fund with match funding provided by Wexford County Council.
Community groups such as Enniscorthy Tidy Towns have a proven track record in protecting existing nest sites, in advocating for compensation following loss of nest sites and in undertaking Swift nest box projects. As such, community and public engagement is a key element of this survey work, with potential benefits for this species in the years following the survey.
A talk on the outcome of the survey will take place later in the summer with Birdwatch Ireland and Wexford County Council.
Swift Conservation Ireland booklet – for further information see Home - Swift Conservation Ireland
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