Carmarthenshire Nature Partnership: Swift Survey 2026
Partneriaeth Natur Sir Gaerfyrddin – Arolwg Gwennol Ddu Sir Gaerfyrddin 2026
CARMARTHENSHIRE SWIFT SURVEY 2026
Record your sightings or nest sites here
Swift (Apus apus)
Swift facts
- The Swift (Apus apus) is a medium‑sized bird; an aerial specialist that spends almost its entire life in flight, sleeping, eating, and even mating on the wing.
- They are the fastest bird in level flight, reaching speeds of 69 mph.
- Appearance: dark sooty‑brown (appearing black in the sky), long curved wings, short forked tail, pale throat patch.
- They are known for noisy high‑speed “screaming parties” around rooftops.
Who are the Carmarthenshire Nature Partnership?
The Carmarthenshire Nature Partnership, a collaboration between local government, wildlife organizations, charities, and volunteer groups, is dedicated to conserving and enhancing our county’s biodiversity. Together, we want to understand and protect priority species like the Swift.
In the Amman Valley, one CNP partner Wild Cymru will be working with their community to record and put up boxes and nesting towers for Swifts. If you live in that area and want to find out more contact: info@wild.cymru. For sightings in the Amman Valley you can use also the recording form here.
Why is this Survey Important?
- Swifts are now on the UK Red List due to severe declines.
- Populations have fallen by approximately 66–68% since 1995. 68% decline from 1995–2023.
Causes of Decline
- Loss of nesting sites: Modern building practices (roof insulation, sealed eaves) eliminate cavities swifts rely on resulting in a lack of nesting spaces.
- Decline in flying insects, their sole food source.
Migration and nesting
- Swifts are summer visitors, arriving in the UK from late April to May and departing from early August back to Africa.
- UK–Africa migration distance: ~14,000 miles (22,000 km) annually, among the world’s longest migration journeys.
- Many UK swifts feed and roost in the air for months without landing.
How You Can Help
- Installing swift boxes or supporting use of swift bricks in new builds. How you can help Swifts
- Recording sightings and nest sites
- Supporting insect‑friendly practices (pollinator friendly grassland management, reduced pesticide use).
How to Participate:
Recording: Simply note when and where (location name and grid reference) you see or hear a Swift. We would like you to record if you know of an active nest site; see Swifts and/or hear parties of screeching birds
Submit:
- Enter your sightings or nest records in this form
References