Sheffield Hallam University will soon open a suite of new buildings running up Howard Street in the City Centre.
When plans for the buildings were first being developed, members of the Sheffield Swift Network – who also work for Hallam – saw an opportunity….

The new buildings are nice and tall and, on some sides, they have an unobstructed approach, so could be perfect for Swifts. 

Although it’s not common for Swifts to be seen over the City Centre, there are established colonies close by in the Norfolk Road area and the estates of south Sheffield (Wybourn, Arbourthorne etc). It therefore seemed possible that, with the right accommodation waiting for them, and the possibility of installing a swift caller, we might be able to attract them to nest at Hallam.

The architects finalising the details for the scheme were happy to indulge us, and we had a really productive chat about the best way to integrate nesting opportunities into the new scheme. Due to the construction style (using brick slips), the favoured approach of swift bricks wasn’t possible, so we plumped for Impeckable multi-chamber nest boxes fixed to the exterior.

We identified the best aspects for locating the boxes, where they wouldn’t get overheated and where the approach was unobstructed (so Swifts could swoop in). Due to the lack of shade in the area, we opted to add sun shields to the boxes.

34 nesting chambers have been installed in the new buildings, which are soon to be opened. Look up as you wander down Howard Street and you will see them. Hopefully the Swifts will approve of them too.

Download our leaflet below for commercial buildings and get in touch if you’d like a free site assessment:

Sheffield, UK – March 27, 2025 – The Sheffield Swift Network is thrilled to announce its new status as a registered charity, marking a significant milestone in our mission to conserve the endangered Common Swift across the city. This exciting development opens up new opportunities for us to raise awareness about the declining swift population, identify nest sites, and provide local communities with information on how to preserve and create swift nesting sites in their homes.
Swifts, renowned for their breath-taking aerial acrobatics and epic migrations to central Africa, are a cherished part of Sheffield’s natural heritage. As a charity, we are now better positioned to secure funding, collaborate with other organisations, and launch innovative projects aimed at preserving the nests of these unique and remarkable birds.
“We are absolutely delighted to become a charity,” said Ann Ellis, of the Sheffield Swift Network. “This new status will enable us to increase our conservation efforts and involve more people. We look forward to working closely with the community to ensure that Sheffield’s swifts thrive for generations to come.”
We invite everyone to join us in celebrating this exciting new chapter and to get involved in our efforts to protect Sheffield’s swifts. If you would like us to come and give a talk to your community group about swifts and their conservation or would like to know more about how you can help, please get in touch.
For more information about the Sheffield Swift Network and how you can support our work, please visit our website at sheffieldswiftnetwork.org or contact us at sheffieldswiftnetwork@gmail.com.
Together, let’s make Sheffield a haven for swifts!
Contact: Chet Cunago, Sheffield Swift Network
Email: sheffieldswiftnetwork@gmail.com 
Phone: 07850799891

Swift Bricks – they’re not just for swifts, and they’re not just for brick built houses!

As Christmas approaches why not consider gifting a future of swifts swooping over your rooftop for summers to come?
A swift brick is a fantastic gift for nature lovers and of course a priceless gift for Swifts, House Sparrows, House Martins, Starlings and even Blue and Great Tits, providing them all with a ‘forever nest’ for as long as your home stands.
At only £36 (plus delivery) you can fit them yourself or, our recommended fitter Jan from Nest Box Installations can fit them for you.
Everything you need to know about swift bricks and how they are installed is here .
Email us here for more information. We’re here to help.

Chet Cuñago from Sheffield Swift Rescue and Flora Jeferzade from Sheffield Swift Network were talking about the decline of swifts on ITV last week. It is always a pleasure to give an informed contribution to the media that takes the time to highlight the plight of swifts. Click on the ‘ITV News’ image above.

The Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife trust has recently launched the Sheffield Swift City Map! It shows:

• Swift records – screaming parties or close roof passes associated with breeding behaviour
• Swift nest boxes/bricks
• Natural swift nests
• Areas of Sheffield covered by each swift group that make up the Sheffield Swift Network

Visit here to see how you can contribute to this map with your own observations. We at the Sheffield Swift Network will be collating your records for this Swift Map, whilst taking local action where needed using the data supplied. All records submitted will be treated with the strictest of confidence.

Huge swathes of open eaved homes are being refurbished with soffits and fascia by councils and homeowners, and exhausted swifts returning from their treacherous migration find the nests they have used for 50 – 70 years are blocked….forever.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Find out what you can do about it here.

Many congratulations goes to our member Chet Cuñago for winning Birdwatch Magazine’s Local Hero of the Year award! Chet, who runs Sheffield Swift Rescue, does some incredible work caring for and raising swiftlets, arranging transport when they’re found, and feeding them 24 hours a days. It’s a selfless task and her unwavering dedication has made this award much deserved. We are so proud of her! Nice one Chet!

You can find information on Sheffield Swift Rescue and other emergency contacts here.

There is a new member to the SSN family, in the form of S2 Swifts! This new group covers the Arbourthorne, Manor and Wybourn areas and now has a Facebook page here. Get in touch with S2 Swifts with nest sightings, questions, concerns, or if you would simply like to get involved in future initiatives to save swifts in the area!

An updated list of Sheffield Swift Network members with all their contact details are listed here.

As Christmas approaches why not consider gifting a future of swifts swooping over your rooftop for summers to come?
A swift brick is a fantastic gift for nature lovers and of course a priceless gift for the swifts, providing them with a ‘forever nest’ for as long as your home stands.
At only £34 (plus delivery) you can fit them yourself, or our recommended fitter Jan from Nest Box Installations can fit them for you.
Everything you need to know about swift bricks and how they are installed is here.

Sheffield homeowner Simon had 2 Swift bricks retrofitted into his home after witnessing distressing scenes of exhausted swifts repeatedly trying to enter their blocked nests, close to his home.
Simon’s home is on the market. He’ll never benefit from seeing swifts raise their young in the bricks he’s paid for, but he’s a swift hero who has simply ‘future proofed’ his home for this incredible bird. What an incredible parting gift.
Watch the video below of this wonderful story.