You can help make a difference to diminishing swift numbers, while connecting with nature and your local community, by training to be a swift surveyor.
Each spring, swifts make the epic 6,000 mile journey from Africa to the UK, where they nest for breeding. However, Wales’ swift figures have decreased by nearly 70% since 1995, as modernisation of buildings has destroyed nesting sites, such as eaves and gaps under roof tiles. If this downward trend continues at the current rate, swifts could be lost as a breeding bird in Wales within two decades.
The Cardiff Swift Survey aims to protect the birds by enlisting surveyors to map nesting swift colonies in an area of their choice. Gathering information about nesting sites will be vital for protecting and conserving colonies in the future.
Prior experience is not necessary – a Swift Survey training session will be hosted by the Giving Nature a Home in Cardiff team and Glamorgan Bird Club on Zoom on Wednesday 19 May from 19:00-20:00. For further details and to book, visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/143310651015
Glamorgan Bird Club, Cardiff Harbour Authority and RSPB Cymru established the Cardiff Bay Swift Partnership in 2017 with a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. As part of the project, a swift tower was installed on Cardiff Bay Barrage in May 2019, with the aim of providing much-needed homes for swifts to return to every spring.
For more information about the Cardiff Swift Survey, visit: https://www.caerdyddgwyllt.org/cardiff-swift-survey.
May 17, 2021 1:26 pm.
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