Watch out for return of swifts

Birds are back from Africa

A Tayside wildlife conservation group is asking bird-eyed nature lovers to help protect swifts as they begin to return to the region after a mass migration reaching as far as 7000 miles away.

Tayside Swifts has had reported sightings of the small birds in towns and villages across Perth and Kinross over the past few days, as they arrive back from Africa.

Some have flown from as far away as South Africa to nest in the region and spend three months here to raise their chicks before heading south again in August.

Since leaving the region last year, the swifts will have barely stopped flying for the duration of their journey - with some able to go 10 months without landing.

Swifts are superbly adapted aerial flyers and eat, drink, sleep and even mate while flying.

The only time swifts generally stop flying is when they nest, and they use little gaps in buildings to do that.

However, years of the destruction of their nest sites has seen swift numbers drop by over 60 per cent in Scotland over the past 25 years.

And now Tayside Swifts is calling on the public to find out where the arriving swifts are nesting or congregating in order to help their numbers recover.

Tayside Swifts project officer Daniele Muir said: “We need to know where swifts are nesting so we can work with local authority planners to create swift priority zones to help protect nests and recommend good locations for nestboxes.

“We are asking people to let us know where they see parties of screaming swifts zooming around buildings as it’s likely they are nesting close by, as well as if they see swifts zip into their nest sites.

“We are running an online survey on the Tayside Biodiversity Partnership website – go to www.taysidebiodiversity.co.uk and search for Tayside Swifts survey.

“It’s very simple and can be done from the house, garden or while out taking your daily exercise.”

Tayside Biodiversity co-ordinator Catherine Lloyd added: “Our swifts have had a tough time coming home from their sojourn in Africa.

“They have been battered by winds in the Mediterranean, but those who have survived have somehow made it back a bit earlier than usual.

“It’s down to us now to really care for our swifts whilst they are here for the next three months.

“Please help these amazing birds by taking part in the survey.”

More info can be found on the Tayside Biodiversity website and on the Tayside Facebook page, or Daniele can be contacted on dmuir@taysideswifts.co.uk