Take a look, through some of the common species of wildlife that live in the South Yorkshire area around Sheffield and Rotherham.
A recently extended patch of heathland and woodland, neighbouring Wyming Brook.
Help stop the badger cull coming to Sheffield and Rotherham!
Unveil the hidden world of insects in Sheffield & Rotherham with the newest issue of Kingfisher magazine.
In 2023 we named Sheffield a ‘Swift City’ – a declaration of ambition from the people of Sheffield to protect our swifts and work together for their conservation across the city. Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust is working at the heart of this endeavour, supporting the work of the Sheffield Swift Network – a collaboration of local groups dedicated to taking action for swifts in their communities.
Swifts are true aerial acrobats of the bird world, but they are facing a grave threat. Their numbers have been dwindling due to habitat loss, modern construction practices, and the scarcity of nesting sites. These tireless travellers migrate to the UK from Africa in early May for around three months of the year to breed before returning again. They spend almost all of their lives on the wing, but when they need nesting sites in our houses and buildings, they are finding it increasingly difficult to find safe havens to breed and raise their young. Action is needed to protect these incredible birds and ensure their survival.
Conservation status: Classified in the UK as Red Listed
To address the decline in swift populations the Sheffield Swift Network, supported by Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust, has initiated a range of monitoring and conservation efforts. One of the key strategies is the installation of swift boxes and bricks, specially designed nesting sites that mimic the nooks and crannies of traditional buildings. By incorporating these nesting opportunities into our urban landscape, we can help our swifts to rebuild their populations.
Central to Sheffield being a Swift City is the collective effort of dedicated volunteers who form the Sheffield Swift Network. These passionate individuals and groups work tirelessly to protect swifts and are helping to increase habitats across the city. Through monitoring nest sites, raising awareness, and engaging the community, they are creating a thriving network of support for swifts.
The Sheffield Swift Network has brought together groups across the city to share best practice and helping Sheffield to be a Swift City.
There are a number of swift groups in Sheffield who are installing nestboxes, recording local activity and sightings to help the species. Why not get in touch with your local group and ask for more information?
Heeley and Meersbrook Swift Group have a small, low volume email list. To be added to their list or to find out more about the group, contact Sarah Blandy:
Nether Edge and Sharrow Sustainable Transformation (NESST) want to support the conservation of swifts in the Nether Edge and Sharrow area through the erection of swift boxes/bricks on residential properties and other buildings.
S2 Swifts are a new group aiming to protect the swifts of Arbourthorne, Manor and Wybourn. By engaging and working with residents and local organisations we hope to create and preserve even more habitat for these precious birds.
S6 Swifts are taking action to help swifts in the Hillsborough, Walkley and S6 postcode area. Find out more and join their email list:
A voluntary swift group covering the S11 area of Sheffield, raising awareness of swifts and their need for protection, organising swift box installation days and events.
S13 Swift Group is a newly emerging group aiming to cover Handsworth, Woodhouse and the surrounding areas of S13. The group is still forming, so if you live in the area and would like to get involved, please do get in touch via email.
Totley Swift Group are not only active in the village of Totley but are currently covering Dore, Bradway, Totley Bents (the S17 area), plus they are doing site visits and giving advice to residents in other areas nearby.
This group is for anyone who wants to share appreciation, sightings and information about our local swifts. Report a swift in trouble, encourage people to put up nest boxes and welcome swifts into their roof spaces.
Whiston Swifts are here to provide information, help with providing and preserving nest sites, and raise awareness around our magical summer visitors.
If you are interested in starting a new swift group for your area, please contact us at takeaction@wildsheffield.com.
If you are a member of a swift group in Sheffield or Rotherham not shown here, please get in touch with us at takeaction@wildsheffield.com to add your group’s details.
The vital work we do for wildlife, nature and people across Sheffield and Rotherham wouldn’t be possible without our members.
For a small amount per month you will be helping us to manage our nature reserves, campaign for local wildlife, build on our engagement work with local communities and lots, lots more.
Individual, Joint and Family memberships are available and each comes with a free subscription to Kingfisher magazine – our local nature, wildlife and conservation publication.
Become a member of Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust today.
Help to monitor and track Swift behaviour and nesting sites with our interactive Sheffield Swift City Map!
Swifts are facing a grave threat. Red listed as a bird of conservation concern in 2021, their numbers have been declining due to habitat loss, modern construction practices and scarcity/loss of nesting sites. Swifts migrate to the UK from Africa in early May for around three months of the year to breed before returning again. They spend almost all of their lives on the wing, but when they need nesting sites in our houses and buildings, they are finding it increasingly difficult to find safe havens to breed and raise their young. Action is needed to protect these incredible birds and ensure their survival.
Our hope is that this resource and the suite of information it presents will inspire people to get involved with their local swift group or start their own, identify opportunity areas to install boxes or bricks for swifts and submit their own records of boxes/bricks, nests and sightings. Longer term, we plan to use the map and data to determine and illustrate what impact local swift conservation work is having in helping to reverse the species’ decline in Sheffield.
The Sheffield Swift Map is a tool for local swift conservation. It displays the distribution of records of screaming parties and close roof passes associated with swift breeding activity, swift boxes and bricks installed through local conservation activity, confirmed natural swift nest sites and the areas of Sheffield covered by local swift groups.
The map aims to inspire people in Sheffield to take action for swifts by highlighting the conservation efforts of local swift groups and highlighting opportunities where swift breeding activity might be increased through the installation of nest boxes or bricks. In the longer term, we hope to use the map data to evidence any improvement in the ongoing declines for swift populations from this activity and to help inform future conservation efforts.
The map shows the working areas of each of the city’s swift groups, where boxes and bricks have been installed, records of confirmed nests and swift sightings associated with breeding behaviour.
Locations of swift boxes, bricks and natural nest sites can be submitted via the Sheffield Swift Network. Or if you have an account please upload your records to Swift Mapper, the national swift map resource supported by RSPB – this is live linked to the Sheffield Swift Map.
To tell us about a swift group in Sheffield not currently represented on the map, please email us at takeaction@wildsheffield.com.
Swifts, the masters of the air, are a group of extraordinary birds that captivate our imagination with their astonishing flying abilities. These agile creatures spend most of their lives in flight, rarely landing except to breed and raise their young. Let’s delve into the fascinating world of swifts and discover the secrets behind their awe-inspiring lives.
Swifts are renowned for their impressive migratory journeys. Each year, they embark on epic travels from their wintering grounds in Africa to their breeding sites in Europe. Covering thousands of miles, swifts navigate across continents, relying on their exceptional flight skills and an innate sense of direction. Witnessing flocks of swifts slicing through the sky during migration is a sight that fills us with wonder and admiration.
Unlike most birds, swifts have adapted to spend their entire lives on the wing. They feed, mate, and even sleep while airborne. Their streamlined bodies, long wings, and superb maneuverability allow them to effortlessly glide through the air, often reaching remarkable speeds. These avian marvels have truly mastered the art of living in the sky.
When it comes to nesting, swifts face a unique challenge. They prefer to nest in small crevices found in buildings or natural structures like cliffs. However, modern construction practices have reduced these nesting opportunities, threatening their populations. To combat this decline, conservation efforts such as the installation of Swift Boxes/Bricks aim to provide artificial nesting sites and ensure the survival of these remarkable birds.
Swifts are marvels of the sky, embodying grace, agility, and adaptability. Their extraordinary lives as aerial travellers and their unique nesting strategies make them a captivating species. As we learn more about these birds and work to protect their habitats, we can ensure that future generations will continue to marvel at the swifts’ awe-inspiring presence in our skies.
Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust have teamed up with local beer experts Abbeydale Brewery to create the new Swifty pale ale.
Abbeydale Brewery’s beer experts have crafted a special pale ale inspired by Swifts, their current plight and the work of Sheffield Swift Network. In recognition of the journey the wonderful birds make to-and-from Africa each year the sessionable beer utilises African grain and British hops to create a unique and aromatic pale ale beer with a botanical spice.
Swifty 2024
We’re delighted to announce that after the success of 2023 and due to popular demand, just like the swifts, Swifty returns in 2024. This time using the ancient West African grain, Fonio. We’e excited to keep this relationship going, find out more here.
Members of the Sheffield Swift Network joined representatives of Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust at Abbeydale Brewery in June to help brew the special charity beer.
A limited amount of casks are available through Abbeydale Brewery and their distribution network, ask your landlord if they can get it for your local pub.
10p of every pint sold will be donated to Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust, to go towards local Swift conservation efforts.
Thank you to Abbeydale Brewery for making Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust their Charity of the Year for 2023 & 2024.
Issue 108 of Kingfisher Magazine was a Swift Special! Take a look at the ‘Secret Lives of Swifts’ feature article below (click to expand). Sheffield Swift City features in issue 112 of Kingfisher Magazine also: