31st July 2026
Listen closely on a warm summer evening, and you'll hear it - a joyful shriek slicing across the rooftops. That's the sound of our Swifts, home again after their 14,000-mile journey! We're delighted to introduce the newly formed Save our Swifts (SOS) Thame, a community group dedicated to protecting and increasing nesting opportunities for one of our most extraordinary, and most threatened, summer visitors.
Why Swifts need our help
Sadly, Swifts are now on the UK Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern, with numbers down by around 65% in just 25 years. The causes aren't fully understood, but a shortage of nesting sites is thought to be a major factor as older buildings are renovated or modified in ways that seal up the little gaps Swifts rely on for nesting.
What we've been doing
Group members have been surveying nesting sites and identifying low-flying areas around Thame; with support from the RSPB and other national swift protection organisations to ensure our methods match best practice used across the country. The survey has already turned up some real hotspots. The two most active sites identified so far are: The Mart (multiple confirmed nest sites) and Goodsons Yard (a favourite for flying practice). This mapping helps us protect existing nests and target new nest sites ahead of next year's breeding season.
Get involved
We'd love more people from Thame to join us - surveying, spreading the word, or simply keeping an eye out for Swifts nearby. We're also offering free Swift boxes and support with installation to residents and building owners who'd like to provide a new nest site; the sooner these are installed, the better their chances of being occupied next year.
Get in touch to join the group, report a sighting, or request a free box - we'd love to hear from you. [email protected]
