1989 Onwards, Previously Occupied Swift Nests, UK
Citation
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (2024). 1989 Onwards, Previously Occupied Swift Nests, UK . Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/x8ss24 accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-12-13.Description
This dataset is intended to be a comprehensive inventory of previously occupied common swift (Apus apus) nests (where swifts were known to nest previously, but no longer do so).
It includes records collected as part of various swift mapping projects including The Swift Inventory, The Swift Survey and The Swift Mapper. The aim of these projects was to better understand the reasons for the decline in swifts in the UK, and to help target conservation of swift nest sites. They collated data from a variety of sources, primarily a public request for information and local surveys.
Between 2009-2015, records were collected as part of the ‘Swift Inventory’. This was a cooperative project involving the support of Concern for Swifts - Scotland, London's Swifts, Northern Ireland Swifts, the RSPB, Swift Conservation and UK Swifts.
The ‘Swift Survey’ then ran from 2016 -2019. This was a national survey, including a website developed by Environmental Resource Management (ERM) to collect data from the public on nesting swifts.
From 2020 onwards the ‘Swift Mapper’ tool has been used to collect records. The Swift Mapper is a mapping tool involving RSPB, Natural Apptitude, Swift Conservation, Action for Swifts and Swifts Local Network.
Records prior to 2009 were provided by swift conservation groups and RSPB surveys.
Accompanying datasets of occupied nests, nest boxes and low-level screaming swifts (probable breeders) are also available on the NBN.
This dataset will be updated annually.
Purpose
Sampling Description
Quality Control
The public has submitted many of these data. Although the level of misidentified records may be higher than in datasets collected exclusively by trained field-workers, this is mitigated by the large sample size.These data have been mapped and checked for sensitivities and typographical/ geographical errors. Data have been checked using the NBN Record Cleaner.
Method steps
- The swift mapping projects collated data about swift nest sites from as many sources as possible. In 2009, members of the public were asked to complete a form to report swift nest details. Records collected in 2009, and in previous years, were provided by swift conservation groups (Concern for Swifts - Scotland, London's Swifts, Northern Ireland Swifts, Swift Conservation and UK Swifts). Data were also drawn from previous RSPB surveys (swift survey in 2007, and Homes for Wildlife survey in 2008). From 2009-onwards, records have been submitted using an online form, as part of the Swift Inventory (2009-2015) the Swift Survey (2016-2019) and then Swift Mapper (2020 onwards). Additional records were contributed by Kirtlington Wildlife and Conservation Society, Cambridgeshire Bird Club, Dorset Wildlife Trust, Bristol Naturalists Society, Glasgow Museums BRC, SOC-Highland and Perth and Kinross Council, Ludlow 21. The count attribute for all records is given as a presence value.
Taxonomic Coverages
Geographic Coverages
Bibliographic Citations
Contacts
originatorRoyal Society for the Protection of Birds
metadata author
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
distributor
NBN Atlas
27 Old Gloucester St, Holborn
London
WC1N 3AX
London
GB
email: admin@nbnatlas.org
Conservation Data Management Unit
administrative point of contact
position: editor
email: dataunit@rspb.org.uk