Swiftly does it! Wilder Horsham District brings back the sound of summer
Swifts are head-turners: cutting arcs through the air like scimitars, while emitting a high-pitched shriek, their motley gangs are the 'greasers' of the bird world.
The Swifts’ arrival from sub-Saharan Africa in May traditionally announced the arrival of Sussex summertime. Over the past 30 years, however, their UK numbers have plummeted by a staggering 68% (according to the British Trust for Ornithology) pushing them onto the Red List for the first time in 2021.
What went wrong? Like many other birds, we know Swift survival is threatened by unpredictable summer weather (brought about by climate breakdown), as well as food scarcity (due to the rapid decline of insect populations). Whereas, over the centuries, our Sandys and Dannys co-habited with humans – nesting in the same nooks and crannies of homes, barns and outbuildings year after year – modern housebuilding methods and materials have excluded the Swift.
What can we do to reverse this worrying trend? One proven solution is to replace lost nesting habitats. Last year, unfortunately, the House of Lords declined to make Swift bricks a mandatory component of English building regulations. So, for the time being, it’s up to Local Authorities and resident groups to take action ourselves.
Enter the Wilder Horsham District project’s Nature Recovery Award, which since 2021 has funded the installation of almost 200 specialist Swift nest boxes across the District. In some cases, we’ve also financed the purchase of audio devices that broadcast the Swift’s distinctive calls, a technique known to improve their chances of occupancy.
The beauty of this competitive grant is that it supports community-led initiatives organised by people who are passionate about reversing nature’s decline. Over the past five years, our funding and ecological advice has enabled the go-ahead of Swift projects organised by Shipley Parish Council, local resident groups (Wild About Warnham, Partridge Green & West Grinstead Bird Group) and various rural landowners, as well as at West Sussex Golf Club. SWT’s Storrington and Arun Valley Regional Group’s volunteers deserves special mention for installing almost 100 Swift boxes across seven villages!
“After weeks of looking it was such a thrill to see a swift fly out of a box…It has given me a lot of pleasure and excitement over the summer.”
While it’ll take several years to gauge the impact of these interventions on Swift numbers, the initial results are promising. Two boxes have already been occupied at properties in the Storrington and Arun Valley area, whose owners regularly broadcast Swift calls. Swifts are once again being spotted around Partridge Green through the summer months. They’ve shown interest in two boxes as well as the village church. Volunteers hope that some of these birds will choose to make their territories here in the coming years, once they’re mature enough to breed.
“What a worthwhile project! This has led to my box fledging two babies this year. So happy the grant has given this result and hopefully more in the years to come!”
Installing a nest box doesn’t guarantee it’ll be occupied, but the impact of this work on village communities in Horsham District is equally important. Each box installed represents a positive conversation had with a householder about the importance of Swifts and enough trust built up for them to allow a volunteer access the rafters of their property! Add to the mix village hall presentations, neighbourhood volunteer teams mustered to monitor Swift activity, attendance at local fetes and fairs, social media engagement and even a mini Swift hospital set up by a Warnham resident, and we begin to see how much these svelte birds have connected local people to wildlife in their area – and to one another.
“I was very pleased to have a swift box fitted, having heard about them from friends in the village. I had been following the plight of swifts generally, as well as observing numbers declining locally, so was grateful to be able to get involved and help.”
“Learning about the Swift Project, at its recent presentation to villagers, has not only inspired me to put up swift boxes and house martin cups on my own house, but also to volunteer my time to this group.”
With Swifts’ annual arrival in Sussex expected in May, now is the perfect time to prepare to welcome them, both at home and in your community. Follow these tips to get you started.
- You can buy Swift boxes from various outlets, or make your own, using this design from The Wildlife Trusts.
- Help scientists understand Swift activity by reporting your sightings using RSPB’s online Swift Mapper tool.
- Find your local Swift action group or set up your own!
- Garden with wildlife in mind: more insects will make your home more attractive to Swifts! Find out how on our website.
- Need advice or financial support for a larger project in the Horsham District? Get in touch at [email protected].
Comments
I will like to know more about action i may take in Roedean, Brighton please
26 Mar 2026 12:11:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
Hi Anita, for your area, we'd suggest Brighton and Hove Swift Group: they're on Facebook or email [email protected].
Could you approach Chichester City Council to urgently erect swift boxes in the town centre. Many nested in the shop eaves but fewer each year return. I think they would recover if we got something done this year.
26 Mar 2026 12:12:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
Hi Alf, this is something you could take up with your City Councillor or approach Chichester District Council about, as they have a biodiversity strategy. Or why not start your own Swift action group in Chichester?
We indtalled swift boxes on our home in Brighton but sparrows moved inthe next spring and have returned to nest esch year since.CN’tne too sad, they are good neighbours!
26 Mar 2026 13:52:00
Can somebody recommend a good supplier for swift boxes? We want to buy some!
26 Mar 2026 14:44:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
Hi Roger, we suggest you ask SWT's Storrington & Arun Valley Regional Group for advice: [email protected].
My next door neighbour and I installed swift nesting boxes a few years ago under our eves. But no visitirs as yet. It’s such a shame. Maybe this year!? Sincerely Lesley’s Valerio
26 Mar 2026 14:53:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
Hi Lesley, hang in there. Swifts are creatures of habit and like to return to the same spot year on year, and ideally where there are already other Swifts nearby, so it can take several years for boxes to be inhabited. As another commenter pointed out, providing more habitat alone will not halt Swifts' decline, but if they arrive in your area you'll know you've increased their chances.
I put a Swift Box up last,Unfortunately the Sparrows found a new home.
26 Mar 2026 15:09:00
Please consider donating to Brent Lodge Wildlife Hospital in West Sussex. They have experience and specialist facilities to treat sick or injured swifts, and orphaned swiftlets. Each year they help swifts to rehabilitate and be released back into the wild.
26 Mar 2026 15:35:00
Fantastic effort by the people of Horsham and the surrounding environs. Perhaps the Government could assist.
26 Mar 2026 15:58:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
Hi Graham, happily Wilder Horsham District is a partnership project funded by local government, in the form of Horsham District Council.
Surely the critical factor in the decline of swift numbers is the almost total absence of airborne insect populations. Although providing new swift nest boxes gives the illusion of doing something, only the re-creation of grasslands and stricter insecticide controls will address the problem.
26 Mar 2026 17:18:00
Sussex Wildlife Trust:
Hi Robert, thanks for raising this important point. Lack of nesting habitat is definitely not the only factor involved in the decline of the Swift, but this article focussed on community initiatives funded by Wilder Horsham District's Nature Recovery Award. Our project also provides advice to local people who want to manage their land and farms better for nature, including by introducing ponds and scrapes and restoring or sowing meadows - both of which support invertebrate populations. Our own funder, Horsham District Council, is also committed to nature-friendly management of its Parks & Countryside sites, and their Wildways project is reducing the mowing regime on selected roadside verges. Hopefully, this gives you a good picture of the work we are doing in the round to improve habitats and ecosystem resilience through the Horsham District. From the WHD Team.
Such a pleasant encouraging article, full of useful advice and positive initiatives. |It would be lovey if the installation of bird boxes could be offered by builders of new housing if residents would pay for the box, as the difficulty of installation is often a disincentive.
26 Mar 2026 18:35:00
We should be doing more to sustain the insect population which in turn would encourage more wildlife & help them survive. The bat boxes are great & it’s wonderful to have them nesting but if there is no food for them they won’t come anyway.
27 Mar 2026 09:31:00
I live in Findon Village and have had a swift box on my house for the past five years, but I haven’t had any swifts yet. I’m a member of West Worthing Tennis Club and tomorrow is their AGM. I’m going to propose they put swift boxes on the side of the building as it is in quite a rural area. I will let you know the outcome of this. Very much enjoyed reading about the work being done for swifts,It was a very interesting article thank you.
27 Mar 2026 09:40:00
Just installed two House Martin nests on side of our home, so hope a Swift will come too.
27 Mar 2026 09:45:00
I have installed 6 boxes. When do I turn on the swift recording ? 1st May ?
27 Mar 2026 21:35:00
We have had ours for a few years now and are looking forward to the birds returning!
29 Mar 2026 19:40:00