Help us to save the 'swift'

CONSERVATION GROUP WANTS ALL NEW BUILDINGS IN WALES TO HAVE 'SWIFT BRICKS'

- By CATRIN WILLIAMS

CONSERVATIONISTS across North Wales are urging politicians to take urgent action to save the swift.

Their population has plummeted by more than 75% in Wales since the mid-1990s.

A crucial debate is set to take place in the Senedd on October 1, where Members of the Senedd (MSs) will consider a new proposal to require “swift bricks’ in all new buildings across Wales.

‘The move comes in response to a petition launched by campaigner Julia Barrell, which gathered over 10,000 signatures from members of the public calling for stronger protection for swifts by incorporating purpose-built nesting bricks into construction projects.

Ben Stammer, people and wildlife officer at the North Wales Wildlife Trust said: “North Wales Wildlife Trust has been working for swift recovery for the last 10 years.

“We believe mandating swift bricks in new buildings is a vital measure in addressing the decline of swifts and preventing their disappearance from our communities.