Welcoming our Swifts back to the strath
Who does not rejoice to see the return of warm spring days? And with them, the arrival of our swifts, swallows and house martins? These graceful aerial acrobats seem to bring the sunshine with them. No wonder we love them so!
They just arrived back in Stratherrick after spending the winter in Africa, returning to the place where they fledged. Their journey is an epic one, especially given that they do not alight on land! For ten months they are on the wing. Feeding, drinking and sleeping without ever touching land.
In this respect, Swifts behave very differently from hirundines such as Swallows and House Martins.
But they also share much in common. In particular, they all nest in houses and outbuildings and so depend on our hospitality. Without the shelter our buildings provide, these birds would be much scarcer.
The UK population of Swifts has fallen by 50% in the last 20 years. Many factors are thought to be at play, especially changes in climate and land management. However, in the case of Swifts, a scarcity of nesting sites is another major factor in their decline. Suitable cavities are often in short supply.
Where old buildings once offered nooks and crannies to accommodate nesting swifts, these are now mainly well-maintained. Tragically, the cavities that Swift adopt for nesting are sometimes inadvertently blocked in the course of refurbishing buildings. Swifts return from Africa to find a cavity they have used to raise a family for years is now no longer available.
Unfortunately, few modern buildings are wildlife-friendly. Tightly-sealed boxes of concrete and glass offer little scope for nesting. However, there is also good news!
Legislation
In January 2026, Scotland became the first country in the UK to pass legislation making “swift bricks” mandatory in new buildings. This measure is included within the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill. You can read more on the Inside Ecology’s website.
You can also help by submitting records of breeding swifts. This helps to build a picture of where they are nesting around the UK. See https://www.swiftmapper.org.uk/
Initiatives across the UK
Initiatives across the UK are protecting and increasing nesting sites for Swifts. The South Loch Ness Swift Project is one of the most recent. We are working with house-holders to provide places for Swifts to nest. To date, we have provided accommodation for over a dozen pairs of Swifts in locations throughout the strath.
Stratherrick’s swifts enjoyed an exciting development last year when a pair of young birds built a nest in a box installed at the old church in Errogie. See 2025 report.
Young Swifts at the old church in Errogie
Two young Swifts enjoyed an intense spell of courtship, bonding and nest-building over a 5-day period, between 1st and 5th June 2025.
Failing any mishap during the winter or on migration, this pair will soon return and raise a brood of chicks. The establishment of a new colony in the strath will be a very significant milestone in the project’s progress. Thanks to SFCT, we have just received an offer of funding to roll out the project. If you are interested in hosting a pair of these fascinating birds by installing a nest-box, or perhaps you would like to help build nest-boxes? Contact us. Why not look at our new live Swiftcam?
Swifts, House Martins and Swallows
It can be easy to confuse the birds. Study these pictures to see whether you have any of these birds breeding in your house or in outbuildings. Please report sightings of breeding birds by contacting us.
Thanks to the Stratherrick & Foyers Community Council, the Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust, Nick Rhodes, Ken McInnes and The Men’s Shed Inverness for supporting this project.