Swifts Reclaim Historic Nesting Grounds at Westminster Abbey

As of September 2025, Westminster Abbey in London has taken a bold step to protect the declining swift population. These unique birds, known for their remarkable aerial acrobatics and long lifespans, have seen a steep 60% drop in their numbers since the mid-1990s.

The primary culprit behind this decline is the changing landscape of modern construction, which has eliminated the old buildings that swifts traditionally used for nesting. Having made the perilous 7,000-mile journey from Africa to breed in the UK, the swifts now find themselves without a suitable home.

In response, the Abbey's environmental and sustainability manager, Anna Wyse, has overseen the installation of swift boxes on one of the administrative buildings within the Abbey's grounds. This historic site, a UNESCO World Heritage location, now provides a potential safe haven for the endangered birds.

The Abbey's head gardener, Danny Britten, has also taken measures to attract the swifts, using a device that plays swift calls at dusk and dawn to lure any juveniles that may be scouting the area. "Fingers crossed, next year or a couple of years, we might have our own roosting colony," he says, expressing hope that the conservation effort will pay off.

Swifts are remarkable creatures, capable of reaching speeds of up to 70 mph and flying an astonishing two million miles in a lifetime. They are also known for their long lifespans, with some individuals living up to 21 years. The arrival of these birds each summer is a cherished sign of the season for many Londoners.

As the Abbey's conservation work continues, the hope is that these incredible aerial acrobats will once again grace the skies over central London, bringing a sense of summer and hope to the city.