We are supporting the RSPB’s campaign to save swifts by encouraging Londoners to let us know where swifts are nesting.
Swift action
Swifts can be seen circling above the streets of London – even in the centre of the city. They are most often noticed in the evening, usually in small groups, when their distinctive cry, a high-pitched "screee" noise, is easily heard. These small, fast moving migrant birds arrive in May from sub-Saharan Africa and should remain with us until August or early September.
Numbers of swifts have halved in recent years and one of the problems is a lack of nest sites. Originally cave and cliff nesters, they switched their nesting habits to high man-made structures; under tiles, in the eaves, in lofts, spires and towers.
Consequently swifts are now very much urban birds and Londoners can play an important role in their conservation.
The Mayor is supporting the RSPB and London Swifts in asking Londoners to look out for swifts in their local area and record where they are nesting. The information is vital as we currently do not know how many of the birds are left in London.
