What to Do If You Find a Swift on the Ground

The following guide has been produced by Sheffield Swift Network under the guidance of Chet Cunago, a leading Swift rehabilitation expert and member of Swift Local Network. This has been adapted and published with their permission.

Specialised Care Is Essential

Have you found a Swift on the ground? This is unusual, as Swifts spend most of their time in the air. A grounded Swift suggests it is either injured or ill and needs some extra help. Swifts are an endangered species—a red listed bird of conservation concern—and so each one is precious. 

Swifts require highly specialised care. Please do not attempt to care for the bird yourself or take it to a local rescue centre, as they are unlikely to have the necessary expertise.

Do not try to launch the swift into the air or release it from a height, as the bird could be injured. Instead, seek specialist Swift care as soon as possible.

What To Do Immediately

For guidance, watch this useful instruction video on YouTube

1. Wear gloves and rescue the swift immediately.

2. Line a box with a tea towel and place kitchen roll on top.

3. Add air holes to the lid of the box.

4. If the swift is cold, place a warm (not boiling) hot water bottle or wheat bag underneath the towel.

5. Take photos of the swift head-on and from above.

6. Weigh the swift using kitchen scales if available.

7. Do not feed the swift - feeding could be fatal.

8. Use a damp cotton bud to offer the swift one drop of water. Gently run the cotton bud along the edge of the beak, avoiding the nostrils.

9. Keep the bird in a quiet, dark room away from noise.
   

What To Do Next

Once the swift has been recovered, arrange first aid care and retrieval by an expert Swift rescue coordinator who will in turn take it to the most appropriate rehabilitation centre. In order of priority:

1. Contact one of our Derbyshire Swift rescue coordinators by SMS or WhatsApp: Nicky Loveday (Great Longstone) 07870 412830
2. OR, if the above are unavailable, make a post on the Swift and Swallow SOS Facebook group. Please note, this is a national group run by volunteers with specialist knowledge and expertise that operates nationwide.

Provide the rescue coordinator with the following:

• Photos of the swift (head-on and from above),
• The bird's weight,
• Your contact details and postcode, and
• Short description of the incident (for example, "cat attack").

Your rescue coordinator will be in touch to arrange recovery of the Swift.

If you find a Swift, please act quickly. Time is critical, and immediate help can make all the difference.

Could You Be A Swift Taxi?

Swift SOS is a UK-wide volunteer coordination network on Facebook that helps connect finders of grounded swifts, swallows and house martins with specialist rehabilitators and transport when needed.

They are looking for more Swift Taxi volunteers across the UK. A Swift Taxi volunteer simply helps transport swifts, swallows or house martins from the finder to a specialist rehabilitator when the finder has no way of getting the bird there. Even being available for the occasional journey can make a huge difference and help save lives.

If you are interested, please complete this short form.