COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 14, 2020

QUESTION NO. 25

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

To ask the Chief Executive for a report into Swift Birds in the SDCC area and how SDCC are protecting them as they are a protected species, also to include what measure are taken when planning permission is granted to protect the Swifts Birds?

REPLY:

 ‘The Common Swift (Apus apus) is an iconic urban bird species. It is a summer migrant that breeds throughout Europe and much of Asia, and spends it winters in southern Africa. In recent decades, Swift numbers have been in decline throughout many parts of their range, resulting in this bird being listed in Ireland as a species of conservation concern (Amber-listed).

As part of an on-going nationwide survey of Swifts, a ‘Survey for Swifts in South Dublin County’ was therefore undertaken in 2020, in conjunction with Bird Watch Ireland and with support provided by the Heritage Council.   

16 localities across the County were surveyed in full. Swift nests were confirmed at 7 of the surveyed localities, with 48 active nests sites being confirmed to be present in a total of 28 buildings/structures. All of the recorded nests were found in existing builindgs. 71% of nests were found in private residential buildings and 14.5% in both religious buildings and in industrial buildings. Lucan presented with the greatest number of nests (12), followed by Tallaght (10), Rathfarnham (8), Clondalkin (7), Deansrath (7), Rathcoole (3) and Palmerstown (1).

The report offers a number of recommended actions to maintain and increase the current population of Swifts as surveyed in 2020.  These recommendations will be reviewed under the programme of actions planned for 2021 under the County Biodiversity Action Plan.’