A 50pc decline in swift numbers has seen a new project into action to save the birds.  

An NR3 scheme is aiming to bring swifts back into the city for nesting since the bird was put on the red list by the British Trust of Ornithology in December 2021.  

Green Party councillor for Sewell ward, Gary Champion, has been working with Kevin Parker to build swift boxes to be put up on homes.  

Norwich Evening News: Gary will be putting up the boxes in the postcode over the coming weeks. Gary will be putting up the boxes in the postcode over the coming weeks. (Image: Gary Champion)

He said: “Swifts come back to the same place, so we have decided to put a call to the people of NR3.  

“People wanting to take part in the project will need a swift call device which mimics a swift call to tell them where to go.  

“We have plummeting populations, so we want to ensure when they return to Norwich they have somewhere to nest.  

“We are keen to educate the plight of swifts and other birds and will put up swift boxes on willing homes.” 

Norwich Evening News: Swifts are loyal to a nest for life Swifts are loyal to a nest for life (Image: Nick Appleton)

Amanda Fox, who was behind the Wild King Street project that also put up swift boxes, said: “It is so important to add these boxes to urban areas – I can’t believe swift boxes and bricks aren’t already a necessity. 

“I was born in 1970, in my lifetime we have lost 60pc of wildlife that was on earth when I was born and the trend isn’t changing.

"When we think about animals going extinct lots of people think about pandas and tigers, this is a bird that is on our doorstep.  

Norwich Evening News: The boxes are being made by NR3's Kevin Parker The boxes are being made by NR3's Kevin Parker (Image: Vanessa Dent)

“They can use the same nest for 25 years, they are so cool we can really help by providing nest sites for them.” 

Caroline Spinks from the Norwich Swift Network said: “We have lost almost two-thirds of our Swifts over the past 30 years.  

“We would really love to know where all the swifts we have left in Norwich are nesting so that we can help support these colonies." 

Norwich Evening News: Kevin Parker has made many swift boxes for the postcode Kevin Parker has made many swift boxes for the postcode (Image: Kevin Parker)

Norwich Evening News: Those interested should contact Gary Champion Those interested should contact Gary Champion (Image: Gary Champion)