Swifts left Newcastle almost two months ago, stealing away the sound of Summer.
It will be another 7 months before we can eagerly await their return, waiting in anticipation for exhausted birds to safely reach their nesting sites, after an epic journey across continents.
In the meantime, the RSPB has put together a guide full of actions that all of us can take to protect swifts.
https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/swift/your-guide-to-helping-swifts
While every small action can make a difference, local councils and house builders have the biggest say on the future of swifts in Newcastle, as they are the ones who can mandate and install swift bricks in all new properties and protect existing nesting sites.
Please continue to share this petition and help us reach 2,500 signatures.
Why not email your councillors with a link to the petition, asking what they are doing to protect nesting swifts?