Common Swifts are migratory birds, appearing in our skies in May after a 6,000-mile flight from central Africa. They arrive here to take advantage of our long summer days, which enable them to find enough food to raise a single brood of two or three chicks. Now, as we wave goodbye to the season's final swifts, the parents and their newly fledged chicks are returning to Africa for the winter, to feed on the plentiful flying insects there.

A Species Under Threat

Swifts have chosen to nest alongside humans for hundreds of years, finding the perfect places to lay their eggs high up in the cavities and roof spaces of our buildings. But with renovations, changes in building techniques and the materials used, many of these ideal nesting sites are now blocked up or unavailable. 

This loss of nest sites – coupled with a drop in insect numbers from pesticide use, and the loss of green spaces to driveways and artificial lawn – has had a devastating impact. As a result, UK Swift numbers have plummeted by up to 66% over recent decades. 

But there is hope that we can turn this decline around.

Simple Actions, Big Impact

Swifts can benefit from small changes we make to our gardens, such as sparing a little space for nature where wildlife can thrive. Growing pollinator-friendly plants, leaving a patch of long grass, and planting native shrubs and trees all contribute to a healthy ecosystem in which Swifts can find food. 

We can also help Swifts by installing specially made nest boxes under the eaves of our homes, giving them more opportunities to raise their young each summer. Once a Swift pair has chosen a nest site, they will use it for life. With Swifts living an average of ten years, that's a decade of enjoying the same pair sharing our homes while raising families of their own.

Wilder Chesterfield in Action

As part of Derbyshire Wildlife Trust's Wilder 2030 strategy, one of the Wilder Chesterfield Project's aims is to support community-led action to restore and sustain healthy populations of Swifts in the town. The project has raised awareness of the challenges facing Swifts through school workshops, community events and a focused campaign to give Swifts a home across five priority neighbourhoods in Chesterfield.

On one street in Middlecroft, long-time Swift champion Sue Darmola has been leading the way for years. Her passion for the species is evident on her own home, which features 25 nest boxes where she has watched countless Swifts fledge over the seasons. In fact, without Sue's dedication, the Trust may not have found a suitable site to begin installing new nest boxes.

"You know summer is on the way when you hear their calls in the sky, and this makes my heart happy. I want to see the sky full like it once was, this is why I have 25 nest boxes on my house so they can breed here. I feel like this is their home, and Africa is their holiday. Having Derbyshire Wildlife Trust help install 70 more boxes in our neighbourhood is going to make a huge difference in reversing the decline of these ancient birds. I can’t thank the Wilder Chesterfield project enough."

- Local Swift champion, Sue Darmola

"Without the support of communities like Middlecroft, or inspiring individuals like Sue, these birds would really struggle to find places to nest in Chesterfield. We have been  overwhelmed by the number of positive responses. People are so enthusiastic and happy about sharing their homes with Swifts. It's really heartwarming, and it goes to show what a huge impact we can have for nature when communities join forces."

- Mark Newton, Wilder Connections Officer for the Wilder Chesterfield Project

With the help of local contractors, installation of the nest boxes will take place over the autumn months, and participating households will receive guidance on when to expect the Swifts next year, as well as how best to attract birds to their new homes.

Building a Wilder Derbyshire Together

The "Swift Street" campaign is a powerful example of how Wilder 2030 is being delivered on the ground. By empowering local people to take practical action for nature, creating new homes for an iconic and threatened species, and helping communities reconnect with the wildlife around them, the project is contributing to a wilder, more resilient Derbyshire. Together, these small actions bring Derbyshire Wildlife Trust's vision of 100,000 acres of land and water restored for nature by 2030 one step closer to reality. 

Want to help Swifts in your neighbourhood? Click here to find out how you can make space for nature in your garden or join the Wilder Chesterfield movement today. Together, we can bring nature back to our streets.