Swifts in Ireland are in decline – we have lost 40% of our Swifts in the last ten years. But the good news is that there is a lot that you can do to help swifts. Birdwatch Ireland with funding from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht through the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s National Biodiversity Action Plan Fund, have produced an easy to use booklet with advice on how to help the swifts, from nest box design to building renovations.
Swift (photo courtesy of Dick Coombes)
This booklet is designed as a guide for anyone who wants to take practical measures to help Swifts, at a small or large scale. Whether you are a home owner or business person hoping to provide a nest site at your property, this document is relevant to you.
Swift close-up (photo courtesy of Catherine Casey)
Interesting facts
The top speed recorded by a Swift in a recent study was over 110km per hour.
The average Swift weighs about 40g – the same weight as a Cadbury’s Creme Egg!
Swifts are long-lived for small birds. The oldest recorded Swift was 17 years, 11 months and 5 days old.
To find out more about Ireland’s swifts and what you can do to help them click here to read more.
