"Swifts are wheeling, screaming endurance athletes. They don't touch the earth for nine months of the year and fly about 14,000 miles annually travelling from sub-Saharan Africa to nest in the UK, then back again."
"From 1995 to 2023, the UK swift population declined by 68%. The reasons are murky, but it's likely that the loss of nesting sites is part of the picture."
"In the past 100 years or so, we've started to change the way that we manage, build and renovate our structures, making it harder for swifts to find the little holes and nooks they need."
"Most conservationists believe insect populations have declined and recent research on swifts suggests periods of the worst bad weather do affect their breeding success."
Swifts are remarkable endurance athletes, traveling 14,000 miles annually between sub-Saharan Africa and the UK. Their population in the UK has declined by 68% from 1995 to 2023, primarily due to loss of nesting sites and declining insect populations. Changes in building management and climate volatility have further impacted their breeding success. Conservationists emphasize the importance of swift-watching and identifying nesting colonies to aid in their survival. Swifts are cherished for their beauty and aerial displays, making their conservation vital.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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