The Swift Local Network map
The Swift Local Network have produced a google map to show their event locations. You can view the events and the map using the link below.
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Make your space a place where nature thrives, with help from our guide.
Swift Awareness Week 2026
From Saturday 27 June to Sunday 5 July 2026, you can join walks, talks and events with local Swift experts and enthusiasts to enjoy watching these extraordinary birds and find out more about them.
A sky full of Swifts?
Swifts usually arrive in the UK from early May, enlivening our skies with their swooping, diving and exuberant cries. See our Swift migration video below to experience their long journey taken to reach our skies.
Sadly, these aerial masters are on the UK Red list due to their declining numbers here. The reasons behind this loss are complex, but there are two steps we can take to help: providing suitable nesting sites and ensuring that there are plenty of insects for them to feed on.
One Swift's Migration Journey
00:48Celebrate Swift Awareness Week
Swift Awareness Week events are run by independent local groups which make up the Swifts Local Network, and RSPB local groups. The details below are correct at the time of publication, but where possible please confirm with the organisers before attending.
Pre Swift Awareness Week | Swift Awareness Week | Post Swift Awareness Week | How to help
Pre Swift Awareness Week events
Saturday 13 June to Friday 26 June
Wednesday 24 June
Swift walk in Wimbledon 7:30pm - 9:00pm
- Meet at The War Memorial, Wimbledon Common SW19 5AZ
- The event will include a short talk on swifts and a walk in the area. Suitable for anyone. The event will automatically be cancelled should there be significant rain.
- Free event but booking is necessary
- Organised by Wimbledon Swifts
- Contact - Louise Cole - wimbledonswifts@outlook.com
Tuesday 16 June
Swift Mapping 8:00pm - 9:15pm
- Entrance to St Johns Primary School, Abbey Field, 5 Circular Road East. Colchester, Essex. CO2 7SZ
- 1 hour gentle walk along pavements looking for swifts and nesting sites. You will learn about swifts’ lives and efforts being made to protect them. Suitable for all ages (children below 16 must be accompanied by an adult). Well behaved dogs are welcome.
- Free event but booking is necessary in case it has to be postponed.
- Organised by Essex Swifts
- Contact - John Le Seve 07504 714134
Tuesday 23 June
Swifts are Making a Comeback! 7:30pm - 9:30pm
- Our Lady Catholic Church Hall (opposite Low Furlong) CV36 4DR
- Illustrated talk by Jacey Jackson for the GLOSS ladies of Shipston on Stour. All ladies over 18 welcome.
- £2 on the door (includes light refreshments) - no need to book
- Organised by Shipston Action for Swifts
- Contact - Jacey Jackson - swifts@2jays.co.uk
Saturday 13 June
Children's swift crafts 10:30am - 12:30pm
- Penrith Library St Andrew’s Churchyard Penrith, CA11 7YA
- Swift themed mobile making and crafts for children led by Susan Rowlands.
- Free event - no booking necessary
- Organised by Penrith Swift Group and Penrith Library
- Contact - Claire Dougherty, Penrith Library. 01768812100 or susanrowlands1@hotmail.co.uk
Swift Awareness Week
Saturday 27 June to Sunday 5 July
Saturday 27 June
Walk to see active nest sites 8:00pm - 9:30pm
- Meet outside Ware Priory/Fletcher's Lea SG12 9AL
- A stroll around some of the streets of Ware Town Centre looking at areas where swifts are known to nest. Suitable for all ages. Walk will be led by Jayne Schwartz.
- Free event - no booking necessary
- Organised by Ware Swifts
- Contact - wareswifts@gmail.com
Swift Sundowner 7:45pm - 9:30pm
- Meet junction of Pound Road and Chipstead Road, Outside Manor Court SM7 2HG
- Come and join us in the middle of the largest swift colony in Banstead, Surrey: 4 active nests and up to 20 birds in the colony. In the right weather conditions we will be hoping to see some nest entries and exits, young birds looking for next year’s nesting sites, and the iconic swift screaming party, flying around nest sites, buildings and perhaps skimming over your head.
- This event will be based in one road, with a short stroll past nest sites on even pathways. A little walking, with a lot of standing.
- Please note this event is weather dependent.
- Free event but donations are welcome - booking is necessary via Eventbrite from 13/6/26.
- Organised by Banstead Swifts
- Contact - Annie & Barry: bansteadswifts@gmail.com
- Banstead Swifts Facebook
Swift drop-in event 2:00pm - 4:00pm
- Harbury Village Library and Biblio's Cafe, High St, Harbury. CV33 9HW
- A drop-in activity to find out about Super Swifts, birds with amazing powers! Children's craft activities, including making your own swift badge or a life-sized paper swift, and a quiz to test your swift knowledge.
- Free event but donations for craft materials are welcome. No booking necessary.
- Organised by Harbury Swifts
- Contact - Amanda Randall - swifts.harbury@gmail.com
Kendal Swifts - Birdcage Event 10:00am - 2:00pm
- Top of Finkle Street, Kendal LA9 4AB
- Members of Kendal Swifts will be at the Birdcage to talk to people as they pass by.
- Free event - no booking necessary
- Organised by Kendal Swifts
- Contact - Ros Taylor - rosalind.taylor@gmail.com
- Kendal Swifts website
Swift willow weaving 10:30am - 12:30pm
- Penrith Library St Andrew’s Churchyard Penrith, CA11 7YA
- Swift willow weaving for adults and families, led by Susan Rowlands and Phil Bradley. All children to be accompanied by an adult.
- Free event - but booking is necessary - Book with Penrith Library on 01768812100
- Organised by Penrith Swift Group and Penrith Library
- Contact - Claire Dougherty, Penrith Library. 01768812100 or susanrowlands1@hotmail.co.uk
Gel Printing Workshop 1:30pm - 3:30pm
- Arloesi Dolgellau, Ty Newyddion, Bridge Street, Dolgellau LL40 1AS
- An all ages workshop to explore gel printing using the wonderful Swift as a starting point. Attendees will learn about Swifts while they learn how to print.
- Free event - booking is necessary via eventbrite.
- Organised by Arloesi Dolgellau & RSPB
- Contact - holly@arloesidolgellau.com
Sunday 28 June
Swift Day at Fletcher Moss 10:30am - 4:30pm
- Fletcher Moss Gardens, Millgate Lane, M20 2RQ
- Displays, some children’s activities and masses of information about swifts. There’ll also be a nature/swift walk and SMS and RSPB members available to advise on swift boxes and point out the swift bricks.
- The Croft at Fletcher Moss was the home of Emily Williamson, founder of the RSPB and it has just been fitted with swift bricks
- Free event - no booking necessary
- Organised by South Manchester Swifts / Manchester RSPB
- Contact - Pam Siddons - smswifts11@gmail.com
Monday 29 June
Tonbridge Swift Walk 7:00pm - 9:00pm
- Meet St Stephens Church, Waterloo Road, Tonbridge TN9 2SW
- Join us once more for a short guided walk around South Tonbridge, led by local ornithologist Martin Garwood.
- Booking is essential - Eventbrite. Donations will be collected via Eventbrite for the High Weald Swifts (registered charity 1204521).
- Organised by High Weald Swifts in association with Walk Tonbridge.
- Contact - James Pavlou: https://www.walktonbridge.co.uk/events/summerbirdsoftonbridge26
Tuesday 30 June
Youlgrave Swift Walk 7:30pm - 9:30pm
- Meet at Youlgrave Playing Field and Recreation Ground, DE45 1WN
- A gentle walk through Youlgrave stopping at several points to observe swifts. The event will include a talk about swifts and a chance to learn more about Derbyshire Swift Conservation's swift project in the Derbyshire Dales.
- Free event - no booking necessary
- Organised by Youlgrave Swift Group
- Contact - Erica - ericafretwell26@gmail.com
Wednesday 1 July
Swift walk 7:30pm - 9:00pm
- Knollmead Playground, Southwood Drive Tolworth KT5 9QN
- A short talk followed by a walk around the area to look for swifts. If there is significant rain the event will automatically be cancelled.
- Free event but booking is necessary
- Organised by Wimbledon Swifts
- Contact - Louise Cole - wimbledonswifts@outlook.com
Thursday 2 July
Swift Walk & Talk - Salisbury 8pm - 9:30pm
- Sarum College, 19 The Close, Salisbury SP1 2EE
- Come and see the largest swift nesting colony in Salisbury.
- Suggested donation £5 - no booking necessary
- Organised by Salisbury and Wilton Swifts
- Contact - Daniel Kronenburg 07791 849372 or dankron@hotmail.co.uk
Manthorpe Swift Awareness Meeting 7pm - 8pm
- Glen House, Manthorpe, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 0JE
- An evening of swift watching. With a talk on all things swifts by Paul Toseland. Suitable to all ages. Refreshments served. Please bring something to sit on.
- Free event - no booking necessary
- Organised by Manthorpe Swifts
- Contact - Paul Toseland mail@paultoseland.co.uk
- Facebook page
Friday 3 July
Swift Awareness - Dan the Swift man 4pm - 8pm
- 24 Wilson Avenue, Deal, Kent CT14 9NW
- Stall with Swift information and chance to see swiftlets in their boxes
- Free event - no booking necessary
- Organised by Walmer and Deal Action for Swifts
- Contact - walmerdealaction4swifts@gmail.com
An evening swift walk and talk by Harwell Swifts 7:30pm - 9:45pm
- Venue - TBA
- Free event but booking is necessary.
- Organised by Harwell Swifts
- Contact Jerry Pride - jerry.pride@gmail.com
- Harwell Swifts Facebook page
Swift walk and talk in Priestwood, Bracknell 6:30pm - 8pm
- Meet at green verge at the crossing of Shepherds Lane and Binfield Road. RG42 1XY or What 3 Words - foam.bunks.nature
- A fully accessible, slow paced walk along the streets of Priestwood, looking at natural and artificial swift nesting sites. Dogs on lead welcome. Suitable for all ages.
- Free event - but booking necessary via Eventbrite (TBC).
- Organised by Wild Bracknell
Kent County Show 3rd - 5th July 8:00am - 6:00pm
- Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone ME14 3JF
- Stall and talks at Kent County Show
- Tickets can be bought on the day or in advance here.
- High Weald Swifts will be there highwealdswifts.co.uk
Evening Swift Walk 7:00pm - 9:45pm
- Shipston River Side, opposite The Old Mill CV36 4AW
- A gentle, guided walk around Shipston - about 2 miles- to watch and learn more about our local swifts and house martins. Suitable for mobile adults and young people over 12 yrs.
- Free event but donations welcome - but booking essential as spaces limited
- Organised by Shipston Action for Swifts
- Contact - Jacey Jackson - swifts@2jays.co.uk
Swift Stroll with Ant Pooles - (Duffield) 7:30pm - 9:30pm
- A moderate walk around Duffield with steps and bridge crossing approximately 2 miles long but at a very leisurely pace.
- Numbers are limited to 35 to manage safety concerns - Well behaved dogs on leads welcome (no barking).
- Free event but donations welcome - booking essential - email sosduffield@gmail.com giving name and numbers.
- Organised by SOS (Duffield)
- Contact - Mick Hardwick - mickhardclan@gmail.com
Saturday 4 July
Swift Awareness - Dan the Swift man 9am - 12 noon
- 24 Wilson Avenue, Deal, Kent CT14 9NW
- Stall with Swift information and chance to see swiftets in their boxes.
- Free event - no booking necessary
- Organised by Walmer and Deal Action for Swifts
- Contact - walmerdealaction4swifts@gmail.com
Swifts on Masham Market 9:30am - 3pm
- Masham Market Place, Masham, North Yorkshire HG4 4EB
- Market stall to raise awareness of swifts, showing videos of swifts in the church tower, selling swifts boxes and call sound systems as well as giving out literature and providing advice on swift conservation. We will also have Swift themed merchandise for sale to help raise funds.
- Masham has a trail of swift art works and we will provide leaflets with the route.
- Free event - just call in
- Organised by Mashamshire Swift Conservation Community Project Contact -John and Janet Darby, mashamswifts@gmail.com
Sunday 5 July
CamSwift at the Shelford Feast - 12pm - 4:30pm
- The Recreation Ground, Woollards Lane, Great Shelford, Cambs, CB22 5LZ
- The Shelford Feast Sunday is a village event for the whole community, with many voluntary groups in attendance. CamSwift will be there with our stall promoting swift and house martin conservation.
- There will be a "modest entrance fee" for the Feast Sunday.
- Swift stall is organised by CamSwift
- Contact - helen_harwood_uk@yahoo.co.uk
- Facebook page
- Shelford Festival webpage
Swift Sundowner 7:45pm - 9:30pm
- Meet junction of Pound Road and Chipstead Road, Outside Manor Court SM7 2HG
- Come and join us in the middle of the largest swift colony in Banstead, Surrey: 4 active nests and up to 20 birds in the colony. In the right weather conditions, we will be hoping to see some nest entries and exits, young birds looking for next year’s nesting sites, and the iconic swift screaming party, flying around nest sites, buildings and perhaps skimming over your head.
- This event will be based in one road, with a short stroll past nest sites on even pathways. A little walking, with a lot of standing.
- Please note this event is weather dependent
- Free event but donations are welcome - booking is necessary via Eventbrite from 13/6/26. Free registration tickets on Eventbrite.
- Organised by Banstead Swifts
- Contact - Annie & Barry: bansteadswifts@gmail.com
- Banstead Swifts Facebook page
SWS Swift Spotting Evening 7:30pm - 8:30pm
- Whalley Range Scouts, 7 Egerton Road South, Manchester M21 0YP
- This is our second annual swift spotting evening, on Manchester's first Swift Street.
- Free event - but booking is necessary via Eventbrite.
- Organised by St Werburgh's Swifts
- Contact - contact@sw-swifts.org.uk
- St Werburgh's Swifts website
Post Swift Awareness Week events
Monday 6 July to Sunday 19 July
Tuesday 7 July
Edward Mayer Swift Presentation 7pm - 9pm
- Hemingford Grey Parish Centre, 33 High Street, Hemingford Grey PE28 9BJ
- Edward Mayer will be presenting a presentation on Swifts.
- Prior to the event Edward hopes to walk in The Rampleys from 6pm to look in on our small colony of around 10 pairs. This short walk will be weather permitting.
- Free although donations to Swift Conservation appreciated.
- No booking necessary.
- Organised by Hemingford Swifts
- Contact - Neil Whitaker - britwhits13@yahoo.com or 07843302858
Wednesday 8 July
Swift Walk & Talk - Salisbury 8pm - 9:30pm
- Meet Wilton Market Place outside The Greyhound Inn SP2 0HT
- Stroll through the village on a Summer's evening to watch and learn more about Swifts and how we've worked with the local community to create more nesting opportunities.
- Suggested donation £5 - no booking necessary
- Organised by Salisbury and Wilton Swifts
- Contact - walk leader Daniel Kronenburg 07791 849372 or dankron@hotmail.co.uk
- Salisbury and Wilton Swifts website
Thursday 16 July
Swift Walk and Talk - Downton 7:30pm - 9:00pm
- Meet at St Laurence Church, Church Hatch, Downton SP5 3PL
- Stroll through the village on a Summer's evening to watch and learn more about Swifts and how we've worked with the local community to create more nesting opportunities.
- Suggested donation £5 - no booking necessary
- Organised by Salisbury and Wilton Swifts
- Contact - Richard Reed 07973 332596 or richardreed.tech@outlook.com
- Salisbury and Wilton Swifts website
Monday 6 July
Crowthorne's Super Swift Street 6:30pm - 8pm
- Morgan Recreation Ground, Crowthorne, RG45 7LA
- Come along and find out all about swifts and how we are encouraging more of them to our High Street. Our inspirational speaker, Barbara Polonara from BBOWT, will share her knowledge of these amazing birds which are sadly threatened. The Men's Shed will tell you all about the special nest boxes installed this spring. We will walk from the Morgan Rec along the High Street and back again - ever vigilant for a swift sighting!
- Free event - no booking necessary
- Organised by Crowthorne Parish Council
- Contact - Liz Turkington projects@crowthorne-pc.gov.uk
How to help Swifts during and beyond the week
Find out about Swifts
Often seen flying high overhead like a fast-flying dark crescent moon. Its wings are long and narrow, and it has a short, forked tail.
Find out more about these amazing aerial birds below.