Enthralled by tales of swifts

Ashbourne U3A Natural History Group

AS one of more than 30 groups within the local U3A, the Natural History Group seeks to provide a rich and varied programme for members.

A recent Zoom meeting delivered a superb presentation on the many challenges facing populations of swifts in the UK.

Nick Brown, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s Wildlife inquiries officer, who also runs the Derbyshire Swift Conservation Project, enthralled us on many aspects of this iconic bird.

Nick opened with an account of the many initiatives, both local and national that had been developed with the aim of increasing our wider understanding of this magnificent bird.

The impact of these initiatives on the wellbeing of our swifts cannot be overstated.

Nick illustrated the physiological and anatomical characteristics of swifts, a bird that can live for many years, having an average age of nine years.

Swifts live on the wing, never landing on the ground or perching. They feed, drink, sleep and even mate on the wing though of course they have to land in order to breed and lay their eggs.

Powerful claws enable them to cling on to vertical surfaces.

Given their extraordinary migratory lives, spending only three months here and the rest flying over central Africa, they probably should be considered as African birds.

Modern tracking techniques have provided great detail of their movements across continents.

Knowledge of these and other habits of swifts are essential in planning their protection.

The many hazards facing swifts were discussed. These hazards, when combined, have led to a collapse in swift numbers (a 62% decline in the past 25 years). Climate change, extreme weather, food shortages and especially loss of their nest sites appear to be the causes.

As old buildings are demolished and refurbished, gaps in brick and stonework are filled in, thus destroying the birds’ access to their nests, which are hidden from view either in roof spaces or more usually just in a space on top of the wall and behind the eaves.

Nests are made of airborne materials, especially feathers, bits of straw etc, all glued together with saliva.

The chicks are able to go into a state of torpor for three days which enables them to survive periods of the bad weather when their insect food becomes hard to find.

Nick urged vigilance in watching out for swifts and reporting sightings. Action can be taken to protect and encourage swifts by the provision of well designed nest boxes although it may take some time for the birds to take up occupation.

Positive interaction with builders is essential, and does produce good outcomes.

Legal issues relating to the disturbance of nesting birds were examined, but the law is weak on this aspect of bird protection.

Nick encouraged us all to be aware of the needs of this summer visitor, and to do all we can to ensure that the screeching of swifts will continue to be heard over our rooftops in Ashbourne for many years to come.

For anyone interested in finding out more he gave us his email address (swifts@derbyshirewt.co.uk) and mentioned two sites on the internet: Action for Swifts and Swift Conservation.