ACTIVE NESTS ARE PROTECTED BY LAW.

It is illegal to interfere with a nest that is in use.

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 provides legal protection for wild birds, their nests, and eggs. Specifically, it is an offence to intentionally kill, injure, or take any wild bird, or to damage or destroy a nest while it is in use or being built. This protection extends to the eggs of wild birds and includes all wild birds, nests, and eggs from being killed, taken, damaged, or destroyed.

We have worked with South Yorkshire Police and the National Wildlife Crime Unit to produce this information. It is essential that we preserve swift nests, as nest loss is the main reason for swifts’ drastic decline.

Swifts are site faithful – they will NOT move to a new nest if disturbed. Swifts may keep trying all season to access the nest and can die trying. So, here’s what to do:

If you can, talk to the homeowner, scaffolder and builder. The homeowner is the key person in the situation, but everyone is responsible for NOT disturbing the nest. The law is on the side of the swifts.

Show them this information. Tell them you are concerned and are in touch with Sheffield Swift Network. Persistence is key, and things don’t always happen immediately.

To print the leaflet, download (click) the PDF below:

To read more about the partnership between South Yorkshire Police, Sheffield Swift Network and the National Wildlife Crime Unit, click here to view this latest news.

Sheffield Swift Network
📧 sheffieldswiftnetwork@gmail.com
🌐 sheffieldswiftnetwork.org