Although widespread across much of Britain and Ireland, Breeding Bird Survey data has documented a significant decline in swift populations. The swift is a red list species and it is estimated that it declined 60 per cent between 1995 and 2020 (BTO). British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) believes the reasons for these losses are likely to include poor summer weather, a decline in their insect food and continued loss of suitable nesting sites.

Through this citizen science project, WMBC hope to gather information which will help them better understand how swifts are doing in the Stafford area.

The methodology for the survey is as follows:
 
The presence of breeding pairs attracts younger, non-breeding swifts. These often behave in a distinctive way, forming tight groups of screaming birds, flying low in formation between the rooftops as so-called screaming parties.
 
Low level screaming activity is defined as a group of screaming swifts flying at high speed at or below roof level. The presence of screaming parties is a good indication that swifts are nesting close by.

At the beginning of the season screaming parties will be made up of breeding adults but as the season progresses the size and frequency of these parties will be boosted by the later arrival of non-breeders. When surveying a new area, it's advisable to be guided by the presence of screaming parties. As a guide this can be from the second week of May onwards, so about now!
 
If you would like to take part in this project please get in touch with WMBC via staffordswiftproject@westmidlandbirdclub.org.uk and we’ll send you further details about how to collect and submit your data.

It is just as important to report swift sightings to WMBC, even if you don’t want to take part in the full project.