Concern at reduction in Swift nesting sites in Mullingar

The Common Swift (Apus apus) may be one of the most fascinating members of our avian fauna. This is a species that only visits Ireland in the summer months to breed and winters in sub-Saharan Africa in places like the Congo Basin and Mozambique. Swifts are true aerial masters, spending almost all of their lives in flight. They feed, mate and even sleep on the wing. The only time they ever land is out of the necessity to raise chicks.

The above may appear to be of some exotic species in a distant land but they occur here, in Ireland, in our towns and villages. Swifts nest in crevices found in building structures, but with our modern building methods, such crevices have become less and less common.

It is believed that, along with a reduction of insect prey, has led to a drastic decline of Swifts in Ireland. According to data from Birdwatch Ireland’s Countryside Bird Survey, the Swift breeding population declined by 69% between 1998 and 2023. That is an extraordinary decline that is noticeable when you look to the skies in our urban areas. What once was awash with the calls and acrobatic maneuvers of swifts now only holds a handful.

This summer, the Birdwatch Ireland Westmeath branch set about surveying swift nest sites in Mullingar. The town is a stronghold for swifts in the midlands and a total of 96 nest sites was recorded in a previous survey of the town, in 2018. The local branch wished to get an idea of how this important population is faring and if their decline is continuing within the town.

The results will hold some degree of error due to the nature of the survey but are nevertheless worrying. The total number of nest sites recorded this year was 73. Although the results hold many nuances detailed in our report, that is a 24% decline in the space of seven years.

The reasons for that mainly come down to the loss of nesting habitat. Many are lost during renovations, some are deliberately blocked up and sometimes the reason for the Swift absence from the site can’t be said for certain.

The sites that are currently in use are also quite vulnerable and could be subject to renovations at any moment. Of particular note, 41 of the 73 nest sites were recorded from St Loman’s Hospital. That makes it one of the largest single sites in the country and of great importance.

Thankfully, the solution is relatively simple but more action needs to be taken. Installation of Swift nest boxes and in-built Swift bricks provide nesting opportunities for the birds in a world of more-effective modern building methods.

With the help of the council, community groups, local businesses and the public, it is possible to halt the decline and potentially see an increase in Swift numbers in the years to come.

If you are a local business owner or individual interested in being a sponsor for a swift nest box project in Mullingar, please contact the Birdwatch Ireland Westmeath branch; your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

If you are interested in birds or biodiversity in general, make contact by email at birdwatchirelandwestmeath@gmail.com or on Instagram.

The group hold outings, indoor talks and aim to spread awareness on the importance of the birds and biodiversity in the area. If you would like to receive a copy of a report detailing the findings of their survey, contact them through the above email to receive a pdf copy.