Every summer, one of the world's most remarkable birds returns to Cadbury Heath. High above our streets, schools, parks and homes, Common Swifts spend almost every waking moment in the air. They feed, drink, sleep and even mate while flying, only landing to nest and raise their young.

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For centuries, swifts have shared our communities, nesting in small gaps beneath roof tiles and inside older buildings. Sadly, those traditional nesting places are disappearing as homes are renovated, roofs are repaired, and new developments are built with fewer opportunities for wildlife. Across the UK, swift numbers have declined dramatically, making local action more important than ever.

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Cadbury Heath Swifts was created because we believe our community can help change that.

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Our Mission

Cadbury Heath Swifts is a community-led conservation project dedicated to protecting and increasing the local Common Swift population through education, surveying, conservation and community involvement.

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Our vision is simple:

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To make Cadbury Heath one of the most swift-friendly communities in the country.

We believe that everyone can play a part, whether that's recording swift sightings, installing a nest box, learning more about these incredible birds, or simply spreading the word.

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Why Swifts Matter

Swifts are much more than a sign that summer has arrived.

They are one of Britain's most extraordinary birds.

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• They migrate over 10,000 kilometres between the UK and sub-Saharan Africa every year.

• They can remain airborne for months at a time, landing only to breed.

• A single swift can eat tens of thousands of flying insects during the breeding season.

• They often return to the same nest site every year, with pairs remaining faithful to their nesting location for many years.

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Their distinctive screaming calls racing through the evening sky have become one of the most recognisable sounds of a British summer.

Without suitable nesting places, however, these sounds could disappear from many communities.

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Why Cadbury Heath?

Cadbury Heath still supports breeding swifts, but like many towns across Britain, suitable nesting sites are under increasing pressure.

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Many residents don't realise they already have swifts nesting beneath their roofs.

Others see birds flying overhead without knowing where they breed.

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By understanding where swifts are nesting today, we can help protect those sites for tomorrow.

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That's why one of our biggest priorities is creating the first comprehensive map of swift activity and nesting locations across Cadbury Heath.

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Our Survey Project

The Cadbury Heath Swift Survey is a long-term community science project.

Working with volunteers, we're building an evidence-based map of:

• Active nesting sites

• Probable nesting locations

• Regular feeding areas

• Screaming parties

• Flight corridors

• Suitable habitat

• Opportunities for new nest boxes

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Every observation helps us better understand how swifts use our local area.

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Over time, this information will help guide conservation work, identify priority areas for installing nest boxes, and provide valuable evidence when speaking with local councils, developers and community organisations.

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Even a single observation could lead to the discovery of an important breeding colony.

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How You Can Help

You don't need any previous experience to become involved.

Whether you have thirty minutes one evening or several hours each month, every contribution makes a difference.

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You could:

• Join our volunteer survey team.

• Record swift sightings during the summer.

• Help identify possible nesting locations.

• Install a swift nest box on your home.

• Encourage neighbours to protect existing nest sites.

• Share information with friends and family.

• Follow our updates and help raise awareness online.

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Training, guidance and support are available for anyone who would like to get involved.

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Education and Community

Protecting swifts isn't just about nest boxes.

It's about creating a community that understands and values the wildlife living alongside us.

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Cadbury Heath Swifts aims to:

• Inspire local people to connect with nature.

• Support schools with educational resources.

• Provide talks and community events.

• Promote wildlife-friendly building practices.

• Encourage developers to include integral swift bricks in new developments.

• Work alongside local organisations to improve biodiversity across Cadbury Heath.

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By bringing people together, we can achieve far more than any individual working alone.

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Looking to the Future

Our ambition is to create a lasting legacy for swifts in Cadbury Heath.

As our survey grows, we hope to:

• Build the area's most comprehensive swift database.

• Increase the number of safe nesting opportunities.

• Protect existing nest sites wherever possible.

• Work with local authorities on planning and conservation.

• Inspire neighbouring communities to launch similar projects.

• Ensure future generations can continue to enjoy the unmistakable sight and sound of swifts racing through our summer skies.

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Join Us

Cadbury Heath Swifts belongs to the whole community.

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Whether you're an experienced birdwatcher or you've only just discovered these incredible birds, we'd love you to be part of the project.

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Together we can protect one of Britain's most extraordinary species and ensure that every summer, the skies above Cadbury Heath continue to be filled with the unmistakable screams of swifts.

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Because every nest matters. Every sighting matters. Every volunteer matters. Together, we can give swifts a brighter future in Cadbury Heath.

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Please click the links below to view our social media accounts.