Swift Action

CCS Helping to Reinvigorate Swift Numbers

Correct Contract Services (CCS) has launched its Swift Action campaign in the St Albans area, spearheaded by Resident Liaison Officer, Antoine Stewart. This initiative aims to support the recovery of swift populations, migratory birds that are currently on the Red List for conservation concern, having suffered a 62% decline between 1995 and 2021.

Swifts are not only a vital part of the UK’s biodiversity, but they also play a crucial ecological role by controlling insect populations. Their decline is a signal of broader environmental challenges. Supporting swifts means contributing to a healthier, more balanced ecosystem for future generations.

To help address this issue, CCS is offering tenants the opportunity to have swift nest boxes installed on their homes. These purpose-built boxes are designed to attract swifts, encouraging them to return year after year and helping them thrive in our communities.

Why Swifts?

Aerial Masters: Swifts spend nearly their entire lives in flight,even sleeping mid-air.
Incredible Journeys: Each year, they migrate over 6,000 miles from Africa to the UK to breed.
Site Fidelity: Swifts return to the same nesting sites annually, making long-term solutions essential.
Declining Numbers: The loss of traditional nesting spaces in modern buildings has led to a 50%+ population drop in the last 25 years.
A Simple Solution: Installing nest boxes helps counter the decline of this red-listed species.

The Benefits of Installing Swift Boxes

Supports Biodiversity: Encourages local wildlife and promotes ecosystem balance.
Clean and Quiet: Swifts don’t perch or leave droppings on buildings.
Low Maintenance: Once installed, the boxes require no cleaning or refilling.
Conservation in Action: Swifts are a protected species—installing a box is a direct contribution to their preservation.

31 Properties have opted in so far.

When and Where to Spot Swifts

Swifts spend most of the year in Africa but return to the UK for a few key summer months to breed. Here's what to look out for:

Arrival: Late April, with numbers increasing through May.
Peak Season: May to July is when swifts are most active, feeding and raising their young.
Best Viewing: Warm, still evenings just before sunset offer the best chances to see swifts soaring in fast-moving groups.
Departure: Most swifts head back to Africa by early August.

If you’ve installed a nest box, you may begin noticing swift activity as early as May. These birds are fast, agile, and loyal to their nesting sites, so once they’ve settled, they’re likely to return year after year.