North East Scotland Swifts

27/10/2026

TWO ASKS TODAY!! PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AND I WELCOME YOUR HELP!!

1. Are you based in Rhynie or Inverurie Aberdeenshire and might be interested in swift boxes on your home or building? please email me at [email protected] to register your interest and get details.

Reason: I am hoping to apply for some funding to buy swift boxes and cover installation costs in 2027. Specifically for the above areas as 2027 campaigns, where swift colonies are in trouble (this doesn't exclude interest from elsewhere across the North East of Scotland)!

2. Are you insured to work at height? Would you be able to offer your time and expertise to help with swift box installation if we get enough interest? Please drop me an email: [email protected]

Reason: We can no longer afford the insurance cost to cover ourselves to work at height in this way (@4 metre height)

Thank you!


Peeping swift photo; Emma Rix
Nest Boxes: C Smith NES Swifts

26/10/2026

If you haven't signed and shared already please consider. This petition comes after the demolition of an historic swift nesting colony regardless of any laws of protection in place or that were available to those ultimately responsible.

The swifts were killed and completely failed. A strict process is needed desperately before more of these disasters happen and honestly they are happening every day of the swift breeding season. It has to stop!!!! Please sign and share thank you.

Swifts are in trouble. Their UK breeding population fell by 70% between 1995 and 2024, and they are now on the UK Red List of birds of conservation concern. When a swift's nest entrance is blocked, every hour can matter. Swifts spend almost their entire lives in flight, returning to the same nesting...

25/10/2026

I just added a new batch of hand painted swift pendants to my etsy site! Ideal Christmas gifts 🥰 just sayin!

https://colourworxart.etsy.com/listing/1230650209

21/10/2026

PLEASE consider adding your name to this petition which is in response to a recent building demolition which despite the existence of swift nesting records ended up killing an entire established colony in the middle of their breeding season. Sickening and totally unneccessary.

Every time these issues come up (and they can be considered a daily occurrence and often not even clocked unless a swift knowledgeable person notices by chance) there is a complete lack of knowledge surrounding the identification and confirmation of nesting swifts, often a failure by some local authorities to do the right thing and use their powers to hold off and consult, little or no knowledge by police or even wildlife crime officers, a failure to check environmental records prior to approval, and often no swift surveys carried out or at the wrong time AND a failure to consult with local swift groups or national swift conservation organisations. It is a nightmare when this happens and it shouldn't be.

Please share too!
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-swift-nests-before-building-work-blocks-or-obstructs-them?source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawVF3nxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4rI0egk3I-BP_BDoTZIABEmD-TTDKDH0CoyCzD_ykR6ykxScJUvITr5qxA2w_aem_HrKQaEPKDI_xqpfeXjNvig

Swifts are in trouble. Their UK breeding population fell by 70% between 1995 and 2024, and they are now on the UK Red List of birds of conservation concern. I am a volunteer swift conservationist who has witnessed what can happen when building work threatens nesting swifts and nobody takes responsib...

12/10/2026

A great time was had on Saturday at in Huntly for our event! We had visitors, and lots of chat about the incredible journeys made by our Aviators!

Thank you to Orbs Bookshop for hosting and to everyone who cam along to see us! Don't forget you can visit www.worldmigratorybirdday.org for heaps of information! takes place twice a year, in May and again in Oct. 🥰

06/10/2026

Saturday 10th October 10.30 - 12.30. Drop-in no booking required!

Why not pop in to in Huntly Square this Saturday 10th October for our morning event to celebrate ! Learn about the incredible global journeys our migratory summer visitors make every year! Swifts, Swallows, Sand and House Martins - we have storybooks, colouring and craft or just pop in with your questions and sightings!
Please support us, this is our last event for the year 🥰
www.worldmigratorybirdday.org

05/10/2026

Recapping on one of our success stories for the swifts in Huntly. The No30 community space, which, as a story of how best to protect an existing swift colony, should be receiving more recognition amongst builders, planners, architects and anyone wanting to upgrade a building of any kind from a single home to a complete listed building refurb. A benchmark project, which sadly would not have happened at all had it not been on our doorstep and swift radar for many years. The alternative consequences for this historical swift colony obvious. Due to the construction of the original listed building bespoke nesting chambers were built in to reinstate the swift access holes already in use so seamless from the outside as you would want on a listed or historic building.
If anyone wants more detail just get in touch. Protecting existing swift colonies is an important consideration when it comes to urban regeneration and particularly in historic buildings but the fact that this is not happening enough is a huge factor in declining swift numbers. Existing swift colonies and other building reliant species have been overlooked for years and still are - failing to survey for them at the right time and in the right way and taking the necessary steps to mitigate. It is NOT a difficult or expensive process if considered at the early stages of a project and the correct guidance taken from swift organisations.

Project Timeline:
*2020 Proposal for Swift mitigation and protection put forward by NES Swifts (formerly Huntly Swift Group) and accepted.
*Sept 2021 Scaffold, Eco Wrap and temporary nest boxes installed after Swifts migration. Works commence.
*Caller used throughout 2022 season
*Sept 2022 Temporary nest boxes removed after Swifts migration.
*April 2023 scaffold removed ready for the returning Swifts.
*The finished build reinstated all 7 original nesting sites along the front façade and 9 new nesting sites (1 reinstated) are built into the side elevation.
*March 2025. Swift We**am installed. 2 swiftlets were successfully raised!
*2026 Swift pair returned and raised three chicks!
Anyone can watch the action onscreen from May - September

I would like to thank everyone involved in seeing this project to its successful conclusion. Its a win win for the swifts, the local community, visitors from all over have enjoyed the we**am, and shows what CAN be achieved for nature.

Number 30

04/10/2026

Today is World Animal Day so let's remember every one of them however small, wherever in the world they live, they are all individuals with emotions and feeling and entitled to live on this planet in peace. Lets stop the abuse, stop the cruelty and make it a world full of respect and compassion 🥰
Happy World Animal Day!

04/10/2026

For anyone in the Aberdeenshire area we have a stock of Model 30 swift nest boxes available. Beautifully made boxes, some locally made and some John Stimpson. There is a charge for them but we can also consider options for any larger installations you might have in mind - like several boxes along one street or several boxes on a community building for instance. Get in touch! now is the time to install! Please email me to be sure i don't miss your request: [email protected]

Credits: NES Swifts / Web / Simon Richardson