Swift action needed to help endangered birds migrating from South Africa

The RSPB wants to install an extra 1,000 swift boxes before the birds arrive from South Africa in April.

Swifts can fly up to 60mph and sleep on the wing, but the species is in danger.

Numbers have halved in recent years because of a decline in insects they eat and places where they can nest.

Now the RSPB wants us all to do more to help protect them.

The pictures of swifts in Kate Prout's report are from the RSPB.

• Click below for Kate Prout’s report

The swifts arrive in our region at the end of April after a 7,000-mile migration from South Africa.

Drew Lyness, from RSPB East, said: “We know that swifts are the fastest bird in level flight, they can fly as fast as 60 mph which is quite incredible.

“They’re perfectly adapted for life on the wing. Unlike any other bird they eat, sleep. drink, mate on the wing which is absolutely incredible and there are few other species that do that.”

When swifts stop to nest they like to swoop in under roof tiles or the eaves of old houses and barns. But more of these old buildings are disappearing or being renovated and eradicating these cubby holes.

We can do our bit by installing special swift boxes high on our houses - the RSPB would like another 1,000 up before the birds arrive in late April.

The charity is also working with developers to encourage them to add a swift brick to all new builds.

Tony Tann, from Flagship Developments, said: “It’s not very expensive to do, the cost of installing swift holes and bat boxes is very cheap.

“Also we think it’s a good thing to do that satisfies our desires and also the desires of the planning department.”