Attracting Swifts to a New Housing Development

Why New Builds Matter for Swifts

Swifts are among Britain's most extraordinary summer visitors. They arrive in late April and early May after a journey of thousands of miles from central Africa, spend roughly three months with us, then leave again by mid-August. They eat, sleep, and even mate on the wing, and a young swift may stay airborne for nearly three years before landing to breed for the first time.

Sadly, that remarkable life is under threat. The British swift population has fallen sharply over recent decades, with losses in the region of half in some areas. The main reason is simple: swifts nest almost exclusively in cavities in buildings, and as roofs are repaired, eaves sealed, and older structures demolished, those nooks and crannies disappear. New housing developments have a genuine opportunity to reverse that trend. With a few thoughtful decisions at the design stage, a new estate can become a stronghold for these birds for generations.

Building Swift Bricks into the Fabric

The single most effective thing a developer can do is install swift bricks. These are hollow, enclosed boxes made to slot into a wall like a standard brick, leaving a discreet entrance at the external face. From the ground they are almost invisible, yet inside they offer the dark, safe cavity swifts need. Because they are part of the wall itself, they need no maintenance, never fall off, and don't affect the building's appearance.

A few practical points to get right:

• Fit them at least five metres above ground, ideally under the eaves and away from windows and doors.
• Orient the entrance away from the prevailing weather — north and east-facing walls are usually safest, as south and west walls can overheat.
• Space bricks a few metres apart and, where possible, install them in clusters or lines, since swifts are colonial and are drawn to the calls of others.
• Use them in every phase of a development, not just the show home, so that the whole site offers nesting opportunities.
• Keep a record of their positions so residents and future surveyors can find them.

Nest Boxes and Where to Place Them

Where it isn't possible to build bricks in — perhaps on a retrofit, a rendered wall, or a garage — external nest boxes are an excellent alternative. Choose a model designed specifically for swifts: a deep, enclosed box with a small oval entrance and a shallow internal ledge. A standard open-fronted bird box is no use at all.

Fix boxes tight under the eaves, again around five metres up, with the entrance clear of obstructions. Swifts like to drop from the entrance and swoop away, so give them a clear flight path. If you are fitting several, group them in a row rather than scattering them around the site. Pairing a box with a small speaker playing swift calls during May and June can dramatically improve the odds of a new colony forming, though it's worth switching the call system off once birds are regularly investigating.

Landscaping That Feeds the Birds

Nesting sites are only half the story. Swifts feed entirely on airborne insects — aphids, flies, beetles, and tiny moths — and a tidy, close-mown development offers very little of any of them. Thoughtful planting pays dividends for swifts and for a whole suite of other wildlife.

• Include a pond or two, even small ones. Freshwater habitats boost insect numbers enormously.
• Plant native wildflower areas and leave rough grass margins unmown through the summer.
• Choose trees and shrubs that support insects, such as oak, birch, willow, hawthorn, and buddleia.
• Avoid broad-spectrum insecticides on communal planting, and encourage residents to do the same in their gardens.
• Retain existing mature trees and hedgerows wherever the layout allows, as these are irreplaceable insect factories.

These features also make the development a more pleasant place to live, with more birdsong, more pollinators, and greener views.

Working with Planners and Developers

Swift conservation works best when it is built into the planning process from the start. Local authorities increasingly expect new developments to demonstrate biodiversity gain, and swift bricks are a straightforward, low-cost way to contribute. If you are a resident, parish councillor, or local wildlife group, raise the idea early — at the pre-application or reserved matters stage — when it is easy to add to the design.

Speak to the developer about installing bricks across the site as a standard feature rather than an optional extra. Ask for a condition requiring them in the planning permission. Point out that swift bricks are inexpensive, add no maintenance burden, and give the scheme a genuine ecological story to tell.

Helping Residents Welcome Their New Neighbours

Once homes are occupied, residents become the swifts' most important allies. A short welcome pack explaining what the bricks are, when to expect birds, and why they matter can turn curiosity into pride. Encourage people to log sightings, join a local swift group, and report nests to recording schemes.

Ask residents to avoid sealing entrances during repairs, to keep insect-friendly planting in their gardens, and to leave external lighting off near nesting areas during the summer. With a little care, a brand-new street can host screaming parties of swifts within a few seasons — a sound that once heard is never forgotten.