By Chloe Hardman, Senior Project Manager, West Midlands Area Team
In this blog, Chloe Hardman discusses swifts, and the amazing work being done to protect them within communities in the Midlands.
When was the last time an animal made you say “wow”? For me, it is every evening when I watch the small group of swifts flying over our neighbourhood. I’m always amazed that they have completed one of the longest migration journeys of any bird to come and visit my town.
Swifts can reach speeds of up to 70 mph, and adults can carry hundreds of insects in their mouths to feed their chicks. They are true aerial athletes. Yet their populations in Britain have declined by 60% over the last 25 years, making them a real priority for action, as reflected in many Local Nature Recovery Strategies. When I had the chance to work with the RSPB on a project to help them, it felt like an opportunity not to miss.
Swifts aren’t just nice to have, they’re part of the system that keeps our everyday lives running. Healthy populations of species like swifts signal a healthy environment, which underpins everything from the pollination of our food to the control of pests and even the air we breathe.
Common swift (Apus apus) in flight. © Alexis Lours A different approachThe West Midlands Swift Academy was an RSPB‑led project made possible through Natural England’s Species and Habitats Seedcorn Fund (August 2025 – March 2026). As a species that depends heavily on urban environments, swifts present a great opportunity to enthuse urban communities about nature, whilst generating practical recovery actions.
Rather than RSPB staff delivering all engagement directly, community organisations were first trained in swift ecology and conservation. These organisations, already trusted within their communities, then designed and delivered activities that embedded swift messages into sport, arts, education and wellbeing programmes. This Train the Trainer model proved to be particularly effective.
Five partner organisations across Birmingham and Walsall participated, including Walsall Football Club Foundation (whose emblem and mascot is a swift), Walsall College, Trinity Specialist College, Birmingham Settlement and Young Stars in Castle Vale. Activities ranged from swift‑themed football drills and SEND student‑led public showcase events to music, poetry, craft workshops and wildflower planting. Each event was supported by RSPB volunteers, and community organisations received a small grant to cover delivery costs.
OutcomesAt least 515 people took part in Swift Academy activities including at least 100 children. Feedback showed high levels of enjoyment, learning and motivation. Among teenagers and adults, 96% reported increased knowledge of swifts, and over three quarters said they would look for swifts, share what they learned or take action locally. The project successfully engaged people who do not usually take part in conservation, including SEND students, families and communities in areas of higher deprivation. Strong social outcomes were also reported, with 89% saying they got to know new people.
The project team purchased 100 swift nest boxes, which communities decided they wanted to build themselves using flat-packed kits. All 100 boxes have been allocated to buildings, with 67 installed already and demand for more boxes than the project could supply. Seven wildflower areas have been created to support insect prey, with horticultural training provided by local organisation Roots to Fruit. While it is too early to assess population‑level impacts, the project has successfully addressed known pressures: nest site availability and food resources, whilst building local ownership.
Children at a swift-themed family activity day taking making wildflower seed bombs. © Natural England/Amber Harrell Learning and legacyAn independent evaluation by Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC) showed the strengths of the Train the Trainer model, which included efficiency, inclusivity, trust and scalability. RSPB expertise combined with community creativity achieved far greater reach than either working alone. The project could have achieved even more if longer funding timescales had been possible. The RSPB now plans to sustain momentum by supporting volunteers to become local “Swift Champions”, running summer Swift walks and encouraging monitoring through Swift Mapper.
How to help swiftsWe can all play a part in helping swift populations recover. Here are some ideas:
Share the story: talk about swifts with your community and think about ways you could come together to help them. Look up! Find out if swifts are in your area and where they breed. Try using Swift Mapper or join your local swift group to help monitor swifts in your area. Protect nesting sites: If renovations are happening near a swift nest site, works should be undertaken carefully to not disturb or block up the nest site as swifts will return to the same nest sites year after year. Create nesting sites: Add swift bricks or swift boxes to buildings in your area. Swift boxes can be found more easily by swifts if you also play swift calls. Let wildflowers grow: Find a patch of land where wildflowers can be encouraged, by mowing less often or sowing native species. This will encourage insect prey for swifts.This project was made possible thanks to Jamie Murphy at RSPB, Amber Harrell at Natural England, Susannah Wilson at BVSC and all the community members who gave their time and enthusiasm.
Full project report available at: West Midlands Swift Academy Report
seen at 10:48, 29 June in Natural England.