RSPB Team Member (Swift Champion - West Midlands)

Please note that this is a voluntary position.

Every spring, birds called Swifts return to the towns of Birmingham and the Black Country after travelling thousands of miles from Africa where they spend the warm winters. They come to the UK every year for a very special purpose - to nest and hatch their chicks in buildings across our home towns and cities.

Over time, fewer buildings have become suitable for them to do this and this has contributed to their numbers in the UK halving in the last 25 years. To stop them disappearing completely from our skies, we need to find Swift Champions across Birmingham and the Black Country to be the voices for the Swifts and to help them on their way to recovery.

There are lots of ways you could get involved, including:

• Monitoring Swifts by recording sightings using our app 'Swift Mapper' and doing Swift surveys

• Inspiring people in your community to provide homes for Swifts through local communications, walks, talks and workshops

• Encouraging building planners and developers to provide Swift-friendly buildings

The RSPB will be providing training and support so you can take the lead on Swift conservation in your community and inspire others to get involved.