The common Swift (Apus apus) is an iconic migratory bird of the Irish summer and one of the fastest flying Irish birds. Unfortunately, swift numbers are in decline throughout Ireland, primarily due to loss of nesting sites.

Swifts nest in recesses in buildings, typically under the eaves of old houses. Swifts return to the same nest site yearly and nest sites are generally lost if rooves are upgraded or replaced. To mitigate this loss, specially designed swift nest boxes and even swift bricks can be installed to provide suitable nesting sites.

A triple entry anti-predator swift nest box and swift caller sound system was sited in Ballyboughal in December 2021.

The sound system, which plays a male and female swift duet, are well-known to attract swifts, notifying them of vacant nest sites and ultimately greatly increasing the chances of the nest boxes being occupied. Swifts regularly visited the site inspecting the nest boxes throughout the summer of 2022.

Here’s hoping for swifts to occupy and successfully breed in the summer of ’23 or ’24, establishing a new breeding colony of swifts in Ballyboughal. 

For more information on these beautiful birds, visit 

• birdwatchireland.ie – swifts
• rspb.org.uk – swifts

Provided by Darren Griffith, 19 December 2022