Gosforth Swift Group

Gosforth Swift Group We are a group of residents working to reverse the decline in our local swift population by increasing nesting sites and raising conservation awareness.

Swifts are now on the Red list of conservation concern, having suffered a 62% decline between 1995 and 2021. Swifts are declining due to food shortages (the UK's flying insect population has reduced by 60% in 20 years), and habitat loss. They nest under building eaves and in wall crevices, but repairs and renovation work often destroy these sites. Swifts return to the same nest yearly, making each

site loss significant. Furthermore, being colonial breeders, once a colony is lost it is difficult to establish again. With support from Northumberland Wildlife Trust, we began surveying swift activity in 2023, mapping colonies and submitting data to Swift-Mapper. We found 5 colonies in the Gosforth/Kenton area, one of which is down to 1 pair. In the summer of 2024, we distributed leaflets to residents living in 4 of the colonies to raise awareness and offer free boxes to have on their houses. We installed 34 swift boxes within these 4 colonies to provide new nesting opportunities. The Newcastle Members Branch of the RSPB kindly donated eight boxes, and some residents, including myself, funded more. Our vision is to grow this initiative across Newcastle, finding other colonies and providing boxes to people living in these areas. We aim to foster community connections and conservation pride. The survey work helps people engage with nature, learn about wildlife, and contribute to positive environmental change.

06/06/2026
Delighted to report that we now have a total of 85 boxes in place around the Newcastle area. This season, we're going to...
01/05/2026

Delighted to report that we now have a total of 85 boxes in place around the Newcastle area.
This season, we're going to try adding swift calls alongside some of those boxes.
Keeping everything crossed! 🤞

James Matlock, giving a really interesting and informative “NHSN talk” about Swifts in Newcastle upon Tyne. Here, James ...
27/01/2026

James Matlock, giving a really interesting and informative “NHSN talk” about Swifts in Newcastle upon Tyne. Here, James shares his extensive knowledge and enthusiasm in support of Swifts.
At Gosforth Swift Group, we've been fortunate in having James’ help to map local colonies.
Thank you James!

Enjoy free public lecture: Swifts in Newcastle Upon-Tyne: Their Nesting Habits and Success with James Matlock, Newcastle University

Our very first Swift Newsletter, to let you know what we’ve been getting up to.Created in collaboration with Northumberl...
19/01/2026

Our very first Swift Newsletter, to let you know what we’ve been getting up to.
Created in collaboration with Northumberland Wildlife Trust. Huge thanks to them.
Hope you find it interesting.

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