Swift bricks to be installed on all new buildings in Scotland

A law requiring all new buildings over a certain size to include swift bricks has been passed in Scotland.

Swift nesting boxes have a hollow interior for endangered swifts to nest in.

According to the RSPB, the UK’s swift population has fallen by two-thirds since 1995, with part of the problem being caused by a loss of nesting places.

In 2020, they were added to the UK’s red list of birds most in need of conservation.

MSPs are hopeful that the new requirement will give swifts a much-needed boost.

Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell, who championed the swift brick amendment, said the decision was “great news for nature”.

Ruskell added: “This is a great day for Scotland’s birds. I am delighted that MSPs from across different parties have backed this small and simple step for nature. The way we treat our animals is the sign of the kind of society we want to be.

“This is a cheap, simple and common sense solution. It will make our communities into better and more welcoming places for nature by supporting these wonderful birds and helping us to reverse years of decline.”

He added: “It is unfortunate that the UK government has opposed similar moves in England, but that makes it all the more important that we take action in Scotland.”

Hannah Bourne-Taylor, who has campaigned for swift bricks nationally for four years, also celebrated the decision.

“The coolest thing about swifts is that they spend more time airborne than any other bird on earth, yet when they come home, they come home to us, sharing our walls.

“This brick is fundamental to the existence of this 50-million-year-old species. It is fantastic to see this going through.”

Holyrood voted on the Natural Environment (Scotland) bill, which was introduced by the Scottish Government, on Tuesday.

One of its key aims is to help tackle problems such as species decline and introduce a new duty on Scottish ministers to set legally binding targets for nature restoration.

Ruskell’s amendment was backed by the Scottish Government and MSPs from across the chamber to make swift bricks mandatory for all new dwellings “where reasonably practical and appropriate”.