Longford Swift Conservation looking for volunteers

Longford bird enthusiasts are looking to assist the environment for an important summer visitor. 

Swift Conservation Ireland are aiming to increase the numbers of Swifts breeding in the country.

Numbers of swifts have decreased by over 40% in the past 20 years.

However, this decline is being reversed through nationwide efforts. The Longford branch of the Swift Conservation Ireland has been set up to assist in increasing the number of swifts in the county.

Some of the towns in Longford (the swift is an urban bird) have seen either greatly reduced numbers or have lost the swift entirely.

However, the local branch is hoping to get the assistance of the public to try and ensure the survival of this remarkable bird.

Larry Mitchell spoke to the Leader about the project: “The swifts winter in Southern Africa, before coming to Ireland for the summer months.

“Swifts nest almost exclusively in buildings in towns. This reliance on buildings for their nest sites has led to a serious decline in swift numbers in Ireland.

“The decline in swifts has been mostly caused by the renovation and demolition of old town buildings with swift nest sites, which has unintentionally led to the loss of these nest sites.

Since 2018, Swift Conservation Longford has overseen the setting up of 12 nest boxes throughout the county,” he said.

The local project has seen an increase of over 5% in the breeding population of around 250 pairs.

Swifts breed in Ireland, as well as laying their eggs and rearing their chicks.

Larry spoke of the appeal of the bird: “They are the fastest birds in Ireland - they can reach speeds of up to 130 mph.

“They also eat, drink, sleep and even mate on the wing. Swifts feast on midges. The parents will collect up to 500 flying insects in a food ball in its throat pouch, which it takes to the nest to feed the chicks,” he said.

Swift Conservation Ireland has set up a website www.swiftconservation.ie with the aim of providing information and advice.

The site will feature nest box projects and survey reports for every county and will also have contact details for local contacts.

The key to success for nest box projects is using the right type of box in the right location and helping the birds to locate the boxes whilst flying by playing attraction calls.

People can follow Swift nest box drama from the most extensive live-streaming project in Europe at GMIT Mayo in Castlebar at http://swiftconservation .ie/gmit-swiftcams

If people find swifts on the ground, that means that they are in trouble and need help.

A swift on the ground needs to be rescued or else it is doomed. Because of their short legs, swifts are usually unable to take off from the ground.

People can get advice on how to help grounded or injured swifts on www.irishwildlifematters.ie or www.swiftconservation.ie

Locally, the Longford representative for Swift Conservation Ireland, Larry Mitchell, will be giving talks about swift conservation regularly.

Larry will also be carrying out surveys of the towns in Co. Longford to identify traditional nest sites. He will also be setting up nest box projects to help grow the population and preserve it for future generations.

If people want to help to conserve Longford’s swifts or get information about the talks, the Longford representative for Swift Conservation Ireland is Larry Mitchell. Larry can be contacted at (087) 2579786.

Both Larry and Finian O’Byrne can be contacted at swiftconservationireland@gmail.com