Residents invited to take “Swift” action to bolster declining bird populations

Maidstone Borough Council has teamed up with the charity High Weald Swifts to launch a new community initiative, Swift Streets, aimed at protecting one of the county town’s last remaining swift colonies.

Surveys confirm that a surviving swift colony in Maidstone successfully raised young last year but urgently needs additional safe nesting spaces this spring. Swifts nest in groups and return to the same sites year after year, so suitable spaces are essential for their continued survival.

Swifts are extraordinary birds that spend almost their entire lives on the wing, eating, drinking, sleeping, and even mating in flight. They migrate thousands of miles each year between the UK and Africa, to seek out populations of their flying insect prey. Their decline reflects wider environmental challenges and loss of traditional nesting niches as houses are renovated with modern materials, making local conservation action more urgent than ever.

Four key streets have been identified as swift hotspots and are being prioritised for the scheme. Leaflets inviting residents to take part will be delivered to homes in Curzon Road, Grecian Street, Salisbury Road and Waterlow Road.

People will receive information about how they can take part in the scheme and request a free box.

This action is being taken in partnership with the charity High Weald Swifts, Maidstone Borough Council is offering 10 double and 40 single swift nest boxes designed to replace nesting gaps lost during modern roofing and building works. These boxes require no maintenance and leave no mess.

Cabinet Member for Climate Transition and Nature Recovery, Councillor Rachel Rodwell said: “Maidstone now has only two established swift colonies left. This project gives us an opportunity to secure the future of one of Britain’s most iconic birds. By working together with residents, we can help ensure swifts continue to grace our skies each summer.”

The leaflets will be delivered by Councillor Tony Harwood, Cabinet Member for Planning Policy and Management, he added “When I was growing up, swifts were a common sight and sound in the skies over Maidstone. These wonderful birds, with a lineage that can be traced back to the days of the dinosaurs, have declined by more than 60% since 1995. We all have the power to take a small action that can make a big difference and help to the ongoing and catastrophic collapse in our wildlife populations.”

Residents can help by accepting a free swift box to be professionally installed and recording swift sightings using the Swift Mapper app. They can also support swift food sources by planting native wildflowers, trees and shrubs mowing less, or creating a garden pond.

Update, Monday 9 Feb 2026

What an incredible response! We’re thrilled to share that all of our free swift nest boxes have now been claimed. It’s wonderful to see how many of you care so deeply about protecting our local wildlife and supporting the future of Maidstone’s precious swift colonies.

Installation will begin soon, helping to create much‑needed nesting spaces for these extraordinary birds who return to our borough year after year. Together, we’re giving them the best chance to thrive in our beautiful town.

Stay tuned, we can’t wait to bring you updates on the next phase of the project as we continue creating safe, sustainable homes for swifts to soar.