Endangered swifts have successfully nested in specially installed boxes at Darwin College, University of Cambridge, marking a crucial milestone in conservation efforts. This is the first time the birds have established nests at the college since the boxes were put in place three years ago, offering a glimmer of hope for the species whose numbers have seen a dramatic decline.
Swifts, distinctive for their long, swept-back wings and short-forked tails, migrate to the UK from Africa each spring to breed. However, their population has been under severe threat, leading to their inclusion on the UK Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern in 2021. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) reported a staggering 70% drop in swift numbers between 1995 and 2024, highlighting the urgency of conservation initiatives.
Mike Rands, Master of Darwin College, has been a central figure in the university's drive to foster swift colonies within the city. He expressed his delight at the recent development, stating, "We have actually got birds nesting in one of our boxes for the first time this year so we will watch this space with great excitement." Rands also serves as the founding director of the University of Cambridge's Cambridge Conservation Initiative and is a former chief executive of BirdLife International, bringing extensive expertise to these efforts.
The university has been proactively addressing the shortage of natural nesting sites, which have diminished due to modern building practices. Swift boxes were first installed on the David Attenborough Building in 2020, where a pair successfully nested and reared two chicks the following year. That building now boasts 20 swift nest boxes with 24 nesting chambers, and a live camera feed allows the public to observe the nests. Beyond Darwin College, several other university buildings and the North-West Cambridge development at Eddington have also seen the installation of hundreds of bird boxes, many specifically for swifts.
The return of swifts to Darwin College is particularly encouraging, as Rands noted that it typically takes a year or two for the birds to establish a colony after boxes are installed and attraction calls are played. This latest success underscores the potential for targeted conservation measures to help reverse the fortunes of this beloved migratory bird.