Making Sheffield a haven for swifts
Sheffield is on a mission to become 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.
The Plight of Swifts
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
Homes for Swifts
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.
Volunteers Unite for Swift Conservation
Central to Sheffield’s ambition to become 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
The Sheffield Swift Network has brought together groups across the city to share best practice and help to make Sheffield a ‘Swift City’.
Join your local swift group
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?
Dore Village Society Swift Group
Dore Village Society are in the process of setting up a new swift group. If you’re interested in more information or taking part the society can be contacted by email:
Heeley and Meersbrook Swift Group
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:
S6 Swifts
S6 Swifts are taking action to help swifts in the Hillsborough, Walkley and S6 postcode area. Find out more and join their email list:
S7 Swift Boxes initiative
Following the success of S7 Swifts, led and established by Lynne Chapman in 2021, Lynne has passed on the organisation of the initiative to 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 on people’s houses and other properties.
S11 Swifts – Ecclesall Swift Supporters
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
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.
S17 & Totley Swifts
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.
Walkley and Crookes Swifts
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 (S60) Swifts
Whiston Swifts are here to provide information, help with providing and preserving nest sites, and raise awareness around our magical summer visitors.
Start a swift group in your area!
If you are interested in starting a new swift group for your area, please contact us at takeaction@wildsheffield.com.
Get your local swift group listed
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.
Key Facts
- Length: 16-17cm
- Wingspan: 45cm
- Weight: 44g
- Average lifespan: 9 years
- Conservation status: Classified in the UK as Red under the Birds of Conservation Concern 5: the Red List for Birds (2021).
- When to see: April to August
Sheffield Swift Rescue
Facilitates the rescue and rehabilitation of any fallen or injured Swift in Sheffield and SE Derbyshire.
Please WhatsApp 07396 712589 with photos.








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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.

Swift Videos
About Swifts: Marvels of the sky
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.
Sky-High Travelers: Swift Migration
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.
Life in the Air: The Swift’s Habitat
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.
Nesting on the Edge: The Swift’s Unique Strategy
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.
Swift Facts: Nature’s Aerial Acrobats
- Swifts are superb fliers, capable of reaching speeds of up to 70 miles per hour.
- These birds have long, curved wings that allow them to manoeuvre swiftly and gracefully through the air.
- Swifts spend almost their entire lives in flight, feeding on insects and even drinking and bathing on the wing.
- They possess a unique ability to enter a state of torpor, reducing their metabolic rate during periods of bad weather or scarcity of food.
- Remarkably, swifts can sleep while flying, with half of their brain at a time experiencing deep sleep while the other half remains alert.
- Swifts have a distinctive high-pitched call, which can be described as a ‘screech’. A large group of calling swifts can sometimes be referred to as a ‘screaming party’. It is a familiar and recognisable noise, which many associate with nature’s ‘Sound of the Summer’.
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.
A ‘Swift Pint’

Sheffield & Rotherham Wildlife Trust have teamed up with local beer experts Abbeydale Brewery to create the new Swifty pale ale.
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 Grains of Paradise to create a unique and aromatic pale ale beer with a botanical spice.
Brewed in Sheffield
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.








Swifts in Kingfisher Magazine
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:
Swift Map
Help to monitor and track Swift behaviour and nesting sites. The Swift map coming soon!