Countryside rangers across Perth and Kinross have appealed for members of the public to record sightings of swifts.
The birds are now close to fledging their young and will be preparing to fly the thousands of miles back to Africa in a matter of days.
Swift numbers have fallen dramatically in recent years, and rangers are keen to target conservation measures.
A spokeswoman for Perth and Kinross Council said, “The end of July is a great time to spot these amazing, acrobatic birds. They gather in ‘screeching parties’ in the morning and evening, making lots of noise and zooming around the tops of the buildings in which they nest.
“Countryside rangers across Perth and Kinross are now looking for information on the location and numbers of birds in these screeching parties, as well as details of where they are nesting.”
The spokesman said those reporting any sightings could be playing a pivotal role in safeguarding the species.
“Swift numbers have fallen and it is essential to know where colonies still exist,” she said. “This will mean ‘Swift Priority Zones’ can be mapped, helping to conserve the species.”
The spokeswoman said the birds tend to congregate in very specific areas. “Swifts rely on buildings for nest sites, often using gaps in stonework, behind down-pipes or under the guttering if you can see the nest, it’s not a swift,” she said.
“They are loyal to one nest site and return to the same one, with the same mate, year after year. One of the reasons their numbers have dropped is that these nest sites are being lost due to building demolition and renovation.”
To report swift sightings in Perth and Kinross phone 01250 874661, email communitygreenspace@pkc.gov.uk or put your information directly into the Tayside Biodiversity Partnership”s on-line survey, which can be found here.
Photo used under Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user Billyboy.