Active nests are protected in law.

LEGISLATION 

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

Disturbing any nest is illegal. Under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act, it is prohibited to disturb, interfere, obstruct or prevent, damage or destroy ANY nest habitually used by a wild bird. 

It is essential that we preserve swift nests, as nest loss is the main reason for swifts’ drastic decline.

If swifts are nesting and scaffolding is erected over the nest, they cannot access it. Swifts need to swoop directly into their nest entrance holes as they are unable to land. Swifts CANNOT perch and enter from the scaffolding.

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:

• Film it. Note the exact location.
• Report it. Ring 101 and ask to speak to a Wildlife Crime Officer
• Ask for an incident number so it’s logged.
• Keep us in the loop here.  

If the blocked nest(s) are in Sheffield, we will support and advise you, and we will try and get involved. Unfortunately, we just don’t have enough volunteers to take over cases in full ourselves, but we will try to provide as much support as possible.

If you feel confident, talk to the homeowner, scaffolder and builder. The home owner 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. 

The more often homeowners, roofers, builders and scaffolding companies are made aware that it is illegal and very costly to disturb active nests, the more likely they’ll be to check or reconsider before undertaking work in the future. Help us get that message out.