Heritage & Conservation

Mayo Swift Project

The Mayo Swift Project is an important conservation project to protect underway this endangered bird species. Our swifts are under threat and the Heritage Office is working with Swift Conservation Mayo to halt this decline. 

The swift is on the amber list of birds of conservation concern in Ireland because its population has declined by over 40% in the last 15 years. Conservation actions across the country are helping to recover populations.   

Swifts come to our towns every year for just four months, arriving in late April and leaving in late August. These are four important months because they are coming here to breed and so ‘here’ should be considered their home 

Swifts are faithful to their nest sites. Once they have found a place to nest, they will return there every year for the rest of their lives. Nest box projects can provide homes for new breeding pairs. 

The Mayo Swift Survey Report will be available to download here shortly.