Leeds Swifts: on-going fundraising for our Swift Sanctuary

We are Leeds Swifts, a dedicated, experienced group of volunteers committed to saving and protecting our city's Swifts.

Swifts urgently need our help. Over the past 20 years our Swift population in the UK has fallen dramatically by nearly 60% This is mainly through loss of nesting sites in buildings due to modern building methods and renovation.

Every year, from April to September, we run a 24/7 Swift Sanctuary to look after injured and grounded Swifts (as well as House Martins and Swallows). These birds need specialist and dedicated care, which we cannot provide without the kind and generous donations from our supporters and the public.

The Swift Sanctuary is run by our co-founder, Linda Jenkinson from her home in Leeds, supported by a small but growing network of helpers. Last year Linda looked after 95 birds (59 Swifts, 33 House Martins and 3 Swallows) in the Swift Sanctuary. 85% of these birds were successfully fledged and able to start their long journey south to Africa.

Running our Swift Sanctuary is rewarding but demanding. It costs around £1,000 each year - about £12 per week per Swift. This is where the majority of our fund-raising efforts are focussed. Costs include food for the birds (crickets, wax moth and bee drone larvae and flies), heating, washing and cleaning and transport costs for collecting injured Swifts from across our area.

Our work also includes expanding existing Swift colonies across the city by installing Swift nest boxes and Swift call systems on a range of homes and buildings across the city.

Please donate whatever you can. Your donation is much appreciated and will help make sure we can continue and expand our vital Swift conservation work.

If you'd like to find out more about our work or get involved in any way, please visit our Facebook page: Leeds Swifts or our website, Leeds Swifts.

Leeds Swifts is part of an international and national network of volunteer Swift conservationists working together to reverse the decline of Swifts.