Wild Kildare to hold meeting on protecting endangered Swifts as they return to the county this summer

By Kim O'Leary

For many people out enjoying the recent sunshine over the Bank Holiday weekend, they may have noticed the arrival of endangered fast-flying birds called Swifts in Athy and other rural areas in Co Kildare.

According to Wild Kildare and BirdWatch Ireland, Swifts are common summer visitors throughout Ireland from May to early September, and in recent times they have been spotted in Co Kildare in Coill Dubh, Naas, Castledermot and Athy.

Due to their decline in population in recent years, Wild Kildare in association with Athy Tidy Towns will hold a meeting on 25 May to discuss the Swifts and their remarkable life, some nest sites in the town and what Wild Kildare are doing to preserve them in Athy.

Swifts are Amber-listed in Ireland due to a decline in the breeding population, and Swifts are described as about the same size as a Swallow, but all dark with grey feathers. Unlike Swallows and Martins, Swifts spend most of their lives airbone virtually all of its life airborne and never seen resting on wires, as Swallows and Martins frequently do.

In flight, Swifts have  a distinctive shape with scythe shaped wings held straight out from the body and they are one of the fastest flying birds in Ireland.

According to Wild Kildare ahead of the meeting, "Athy is by far the stronghold for this majestic flyer in the county with the sky full of them on a summers evening. "

Those interested in attending the meeting in Athy on 25 May are asked to meet at the Courthouse at Barrow Quay with the meeting starting at7;30pm.

This event is part of national biodiversity week and is free to attend with no booking required.

For more information contact [email protected]