“Nothing flies like a Swift” - Churches Count on Nature 2025
Churches and cathedrals across the country are preparing for Churches Count on Nature 2025. The annual opportunity for church-based ‘citizen science’ runs between 7-15th June. Over the nine days, people are encouraged to record the many plants and animals that they encounter in our biodiversity-rich churchyards.
Last year more than 540 activities and events were organised by churches across the country, with more than 17,000 individual observations and 1,700 different species recorded. This year, Swifts will be a particular focus.
“Nothing, but nothing flies like a Swift. This charismatic bird’s presence at your Church shows everyone that the biodiversity there is in good hands!”
Edward Mayer / www.swift-conservation.org
Of all our summer visitors, Swifts are perhaps the most tantalising; only with us for a few months, these aerial acrobats return to the UK in April or early May and leave again by late July or August.
During their temporary stay, Swifts nest in colonies high up within holes in cliffs, walls, and roofs, notably returning to the same nest site each year. In the distant past, old woodpecker holes in trees would have been a favoured spot, but today, churches and church towers make a good alternative.
Sadly, this fantastic bird is in trouble – records show that 58% of our Swifts vanished between 1996 and 2018 – and a lack of nesting sites is a contributing factor to their decline.
What can we do to help Swifts?
- Confirm Swift nest sites: One of the most useful things you can do to help Swifts is to establish whether they are nesting on or near to your church or chapel. That may sound easy, but it is surprisingly difficult to confirm the presence of nesting Swifts as they nest completely out of sight! Look for Swifts darting into holes or swooping in under the eaves, particularly during the evening period when they are returning to their nests.
- Organise an Evening Swift Event: Why not have an evening Swift Event as one of your Churches Count on Nature 2025 activities? If you have heard and seen Swifts anywhere in your local area, then it is worth checking to see if they are using your church or chapel. Many areas have a local Swift Group who would love to hear about your event and may well come and join in.
- Record Swift nest sites on the app, Swift-Mapper: Knowledge of where Swifts are nesting is vital to help with the protection of the species, so please use the free downloadable Swift-Mapper app to record any identified nesting locations. Any evidence logged on the app is also incorporated into the Caring for God’s Acre data system and added to the Church Heritage Record. It is also great fun to use!
- Add nest boxes or Swift bricks to buildings: Many communities are helping Swifts further by fitting nest boxes or Swift bricks onto and into buildings, and Church towers are ideal places for nesting boxes. Amazingly, the Swifts don’t seem to mind the peal of bells!
The Archbishop of Wales and the Bishop of Bangor, the Most Reverend Andrew John, is urging people to take part. He says,
“The wildlife in our nation is one of the most remarkable treasures that we hold. Hundreds of species roam our countries, and many efforts are being made to protect them. Swifts are just one species that needs our attention this season.
When I look out over the churches of Wales, I see buildings alive with nature. They are often engulfed in plants and nests, not to be encroaching on space but longing for growth. Swifts are among the few birds to be isolated due to the lack of nesting sites. These are truly magnificent birds that are a symbol of grace, speed, adaptability, and resourcefulness.
This summer, I invite you to join us in your church community to install new boxes for these Swifts to find safe, secure and comfortable nests for future species to thrive. We all have a shared responsibility to look after our world and the living creatures on it."
How to get involved
Churches Count on Nature 2025 is part of Love Your Burial Ground Week. Any data collected during Churches Count on Nature 2025 can be entered into the biological records hub, the National Biodiversity Network, to help build understanding of and protection for British wildlife.
You can get involved by:
There are also a series of seminars, being held online, that you can attend to learn more over the week:
- 9 June, 12-1pm
People and Nature – 5 Steps to Churchyard & other burial ground management. - 10 June, 12-1pm
Eco Churches count on nature! How Eco Churches are taking action for nature year-round - 11 June, 12-1pm
On the ground – practical conservation management in 2 churchyards - 12 June, 12-1pm
Here be dragons – amphibians and reptiles in burial grounds - 13 June, 12-1pm
Open to all – challenges and opportunities for accessibility in churchyards
You can sign up and find out more here: https://www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk/webinars-summer-2025/
Churches Count on Nature is jointly run by the conservation charities A Rocha UK, Caring for God’s Acre together with the Church of England and the Church in Wales.
Swift Conservation: https://swift-conservation.org/ edward.mayer@swift-conservation.org
Love your Burial Ground Week partners:
- Church of England: www.churchofengland.org/about/environment-and-climate-change/churches-count-nature-2025#na
- Church in Wales: www.churchinwales.org.uk/en/
- A Rocha UK: https://arocha.org.uk/event/churches-count-on-nature-2025/
- National Federation of Cemetery Friends: www.cemeteryfriends.com/