Swifts, swallows, and martins are aerial acrobats that grace our skies, playing vital roles in ecosystems. Yet, modern changes threaten their existence. These enchanting birds are known for their graceful flight, and have adapted to life on the wing. Swifts and swallows only spend summers in England, returning to Africa for winter.
If you live with cats, don’t encourage birds to gardens (keep feline friends indoors at dawn and dusk, when birds are most likely feeding). Learn how to stop birds flying into windows. Never buy ‘decorative’ coloured tin birdhouses, these overheat and attract predators.
Swifts
Swifts spend almost all their lives in flight (sleeping, eating, drinking, mating) and only roost under house eaves for 3 months a year. They only eat insects, so won’t visit bird tables.
These dark brown birds are known for their high-pitched screams, but demolition of old buildings (including churches) means loss of habitat (and less insects due to pesticides) leading them to be endangered.
Site swift boxes under eaves (or swift bricks in walls) that face north, northeast or northwest to avoid chicks overheating, and ensure they are at least 5m above ground (placed high under eaves), with surrounding space to access (installed by the third week of April). Never disturb the nest, as swifts will return the next year.
If you’re a builder or town planner, ensure swifts are not disturbed (this is illegal and can be reported as wildlife crime – can be anonymous). A sure sign of swifts is screaming near building work! There is presently a Bill being debated in the House of Lords on whether to make swift bricks mandatory in new housing developments.
Swallows
Swallows are dark/blue black with red foreheads and pale bellies. They look similar but have a ‘chatter call’ and tend to nest in outbuildings. They like nest boxes under eaves or gables (ledges or shelves in open-sided barns or garages are good), sheltered from harsh water.
House Martins
House martins are glossy black and more urban still, often collecting mud from puddles to make ‘mud cup’ nests under house eaves. Smaller sand martins are brown and white, and like to nest in burrows and love wetlands.
Again, they like nest boxes under eaves or gables, sheltered from harsh water. Martins thrive in multi-compartment birdhouses.