Each May, the skies above Oxfordshire fill with the screaming calls of swifts. These remarkable birds arrive from Africa, having flown thousands of miles, and spend just a few short months with us before heading south again. Yet their numbers have fallen dramatically across the UK in recent decades. The good news is that small, practical actions in our gardens, streets, and villages can make a real difference.

Why Oxfordshire's Swifts Are Struggling

Swifts are specialists. They nest in cavities in buildings, often under the eaves of older houses, churches, and farm buildings. But renovations, roof repairs, and new building techniques have sealed up many of these gaps. Modern homes rarely offer the nooks and crannies that swifts need. Add in a decline in flying insects—their only food—and the effects of unpredictable weather, and it is easy to see why swift numbers have plummeted.

In Oxfordshire, the loss of nesting sites is particularly acute. Historic towns like Oxford, Banbury, and Witney have many older buildings, but even there, careful maintenance can accidentally block access. Swifts are faithful to their nesting sites, returning year after year. If their site is lost, they may not breed at all.

Putting Up a Swift Nest Box

A well-placed nest box is one of the simplest and most effective ways to help. You can buy one or make your own. Aim for a box around 30cm wide, 15cm high, and 15cm deep, with an entrance hole about 30mm high and 65mm wide, positioned near the top. Use untreated wood, at least 18mm thick, and avoid any chemical treatments.

Placement matters. Swifts need a clear flight path, so the box should be at least five metres above the ground, with nothing blocking the approach. A north or east-facing wall is ideal, as it avoids the worst of the midday sun and reduces the risk of overheating. Under the eaves or on a gable end works well. If you can, install two or more boxes, as swifts are colonial nesters and are more likely to move in if others are nearby.

You can also use a call system—a small speaker playing swift calls—to attract passing birds. Play it during the early morning and evening in May and June. Just be considerate of neighbours. Once swifts are established, they will return year after year.

Protecting Existing Eaves and Roof Spaces

Before you repair a roof, repoint brickwork, or clear gutters, check for nesting swifts. They are legally protected in the UK, and it is an offence to destroy an active nest. But beyond the law, it is simply the right thing to do. Schedule any work for September to April, outside the swift season.

If work is unavoidable during the summer, provide alternative nest boxes nearby. And when you are making changes, consider retrofitting a swift brick. These are built-in bricks with a hollow cavity that provide a permanent nesting space. They are ideal for new builds, extensions, and renovations. Ask your builder or architect about them—many are now readily available.

Also, resist the urge to seal every gap. Leave some eaves open. A small, unobtrusive gap can be a lifeline for a pair of swifts. If you have netting to keep birds out, make sure it does not block potential nest sites.

Making Your Neighbourhood Swift-friendly

Swifts are social birds. A single box may help, but a cluster of boxes across several houses can create a thriving colony. Talk to your neighbours. Encourage them to put up boxes too. You could organise a community project to install boxes on a church, school, or village hall. Many local swift groups can offer advice and even help with installation.

Beyond nesting sites, think about insects. Swifts feed exclusively on flying insects, so a garden rich in wildlife is a garden that supports swifts. Avoid pesticides and insecticides. Plant native wildflowers, leave a patch of long grass, and perhaps add a small pond. These simple steps boost insect numbers, which in turn feed swifts and other birds.

If you are involved in local planning or have a say in new developments, advocate for swift bricks and other wildlife features. Every new building is an opportunity to create homes for swifts.

What to Do If You Find a Grounded Swift

Occasionally, especially in hot weather or after a storm, you might find a swift on the ground. They cannot take off from a flat surface because their legs are too short and weak. Do not throw it into the air. Instead, pick it up gently and place it in a cardboard box lined with a soft towel. Keep it dark, quiet, and warm. Do not try to feed it or give it water.

Contact a local wildlife rescue or an experienced swift carer as soon as possible. In the meantime, keep the box away from pets and children. If the bird is simply exhausted and the weather is cool, you might place it on a high, shaded ledge, but only if you are confident it is ready to fly. When in doubt, seek expert advice.

Recording Your Sightings

Finally, help us understand how swifts are faring by recording what you see. Note the date, location, number of birds, and behaviour. Are they screaming around rooftops? Entering a nest site? Feeding young? Your records can be sent to your local biological records centre or county bird recorder. These details build a picture of swift distribution and help target conservation efforts.

You could also join a national swift survey, if one is running locally. Every sighting matters. The more we know, the better we can protect these summer visitors.