Birds in towns and villages

What we need to do and where

Starling, John Yunker

House martins, National Trust Images – David Humphries

1. About

This group includes threatened species which nest in our towns and villages. Swifts, house martins, starlings and house sparrows have all suffered large population declines in recent years. They all need nesting sites in buildings and a reliable supply of food such as insects and spiders. 

Swifts, house martins and starlings feed over areas of countryside that surround towns and villages and so will benefit from the actions to increase insects set out in the Lowland farmland birds group.

Actions for this group will also benefit species such as swallows, greenfinches, collared doves and tawny owls, all listed as Devon Species of Conservation Concern.

Key pressures and opportunities

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Nest sites in buildings

Nesting sites in buildings have been lost due to restoration works that block up old holes and the use of plastic soffits. There are lots of opportunities to incorporate nesting sites into buildings, including through planning conditions.

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Wildlife-friendly design for insects and other small invertebrates

The decline in insect populations is a major pressure for birds. People across Devon are increasingly aware of the wildlife value of parks and gardens and there is growing national interest in taking action for wildlife in towns and villages. Wildlife-friendly areas need to be included in well-designed gardens and green spaces.

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Lighting

Lighting in and around buildings is thought to discourage some species such as tawny owls.

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Disease

Declines in some Devon Species of Conservation Concern such as greenfinches and other seed eating species like chaffinch have been linked to trichomonosis. a parasitic disease. Trichomonosis can be reduced by regularly cleaning bird feeders and providing clean, fresh drinking water.

Blackbirds in the UK are currently threatened by the Usutu virus, a mosquito-borne disease that has spread significantly since its arrival in 2020.

2. What we need to do and where

Focus species

Starling

Sturnus vulgaris
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Habitat

Starlings are found across urban and rural areas. They have a varied diet, feeding on insects, worms, berries, snails, spiders, fruit and scraps. However, they only feed their young on invertebrates and research shows that they capture more prey in short grass.

Starlings nest in tree cavities, nest boxes, under roof tiles and in the eaves of buildings.

Young birds form large flocks that can become huge in the winter as birds arrive from northern Europe. Winter roosts can contain several thousand birds, which gather in reedbeds, farm buildings and trees.

Population

The breeding population in the UK has fallen sharply, particularly since the early 1980s. As it continues to decline, starlings are on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Red list. In Devon, they’re still numerous (and abundant in winter) but there has been a huge decline. In 1988 they covered 87% of tetrads but by 2016 this had fallen to only 36%.

60% of starlings live in urban and garden habitats, but relatively little is known about them. Urban starlings produce fewer young than rural starlings, but the reasons for this difference are not well understood.

Swift

Apus apus
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Habitat

Swifts rarely touch the ground as they sleep, eat, bathe and even mate while flying. They spend the winter in Africa and come back to the UK in summer, where they  nest in buildings in towns and villages, returning to the same site each year. They feed on flying insects and pair for life. 

Population

Although widespread across much of the country, between 1995 and 2002 the swift population decreased by 66%. In Devon, they’ve undergone a significant decline in population and it’s thought there are now just 2,000 pairs in the county. The reasons for swifts’ decline are likely to include a lack of insects, loss of nesting sites and poor summer weather. They’re on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Red list.

House sparrow

Passer domesticus
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Habitat

House sparrows are noisy, sociable birds that nest in colonies. They’re found in urban and rural areas throughout the UK where they nest in crevices in buildings, in nest boxes and in ivy, hedges and scrub. They have a mixed diet, feeding on seeds and insects near to their nests. They also visit bird tables and feeders.

Population

Between 1977 and 2008, house sparrows declined by 71%, with large falls in both rural and urban areas. Although it’s not clear why their population has fallen so sharply, predation by cats and sparrowhawks, lack of nest sites, lack of food, pollution and avian malaria are all possible causes. House sparrows have been on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Red list since 2002.

House martin

Delichon urbicum
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Habitat

House martins are a summer visitor to the UK. They build nests from wet mud mixed with straw and grass under the eaves of buildings. They return to the same nesting sites each year and will reuse their old nests. As they use wet mud, they’re often found near ponds, lakes and rivers. They feed on the wing on flying insects. 

Population

The UK breeding population of house martins declined by 44% between 1995 and 2022 and they’re on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Red list.  In Devon, between 1988 and 2016, the number of tetrads with house martins fell by nearly 50%. The reasons for this decline are not well understood, but research shows that birds that build nests on PVC, rather than brick, concrete or wood, have much lower breeding success. A decline in insects is also likely to be a factor.

A spotted flycatcher sits on a broken tree branch that is covered in moss and lichens against a backdrop of broadleaf ancient woodland. The bird is seen from the side on, facing towards the left of the frame. It has a white underbelly that gets increasingly speckled with grey towards the bib. The head is light brown speckled with white and grey and has a small black eye and short thin dark brown beak. The back of the bird and its wings are dark brown-grey going lighter towards the edges of each feather. The wings are longer and more angular than the small round body of the bird so protrude beyond the rear of the birds body.

Spotted flycatcher

Muscicapa striata
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Habitat 

Spotted flycatchers are summer migrants from Africa, often not arriving until late April or early May. They breed throughout the UK, apart from the very far north and west. Spotted flycatchers can be found anywhere with large mature trees that support lots of insects such as woodlands, parklands and large gardens. In woodland, they seem to prefer sites which aren’t too open or too dense. They nest in sheltered crevices and on creepers climbing up walls and trees. They fly out from a perch to grab a flying insect, usually returning to the same spot.  

Population 

The UK breeding population declined by 93% between 1967 and 2022 and they are on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Red List. It’s not known what caused this decline but it may be related to habitat decline in the UK or issues during migration or in their wintering grounds.  They’re widespread across Devon but in low numbers. 

Actions for all birds in towns and villages

Provide nesting sites in buildings, scrub, hedges and trees

  • Retrofit nest boxes and swift bricks into buildings.
  • Ensure that nest boxes and swift bricks are included in new builds. 
  • Manage and plant dense hedges, scrub and trees to provide nesting sites

Ensure a reliable supply of invertebrates and seeds through the year

  • Provide supplementary food during the winter but follow best practice hygiene rules to reduce the spread of disease.
  • Manage gardens, parks and green spaces for insects and other invertebrates and to provide seeds. For example, leave dead wood and long grass, avoid pesticides, plant insect friendly plants and dig ponds. See Parks, gardens and green spaces for more information.

Reduce light pollution

  • Take every opportunity to reduce lighting in towns and villages.  See Lighting for more information.

Support community projects

  • Support and fund community groups working to increase wildlife in our towns and villages.

Other relevant actions

Where to focus action

All Devon’s towns and villages.

3. Inspiration

Case studies

Residential Design Guide, Exeter

In 2010 Exeter City Council adopted a nationally acclaimed Residential Design Guide, which encourages and provides information on how to incorporate urban bird nesting spaces in new housing developments. It was seen as best practice and similar guidance has since been adopted by many other planning authorities.  

Devon Swift Project

The Devon Swift Project was set up in 2023 to increase the population of swifts in Devon and beyond. It has since installed swift nesting chambers inside church towers throughout Devon. So far, around 40 churches have them, ranging from 10 to over 100 chambers per tower, including Exeter Cathedral with 128. The project has in large part been funded by Devon Birds and the Devon Environment Foundation.

Where to visit

To be added

4. Find out more

The British Trust for Ornithology publish maps and books with statistics for species distribution and change.

The Devon Bird Atlas shows the distribution and abundance of birds in Devon in both the breeding and winter periods.

The RSPB have a guide on how to tell the difference between a house martin, swift or swallow.

Exeter City Council’s Residential Design Guide, includes information on how to incorporate urban bird nesting spaces in new housing developments. See chapters 9 and 10 and the appendices.

The British Trust for Ornithology website has information on swifts.

The Swift Conservation website has lots of information about swifts, including booklets and leaflets to download and print.

Swift Conservation has published a leaflet on swift bricks.

 The Devon Swift Project aims to increase the population of common swifts in Devon and beyond.

House Martin Conservation UK & Ireland is a charity dedicated to the care and protection of house martins.

Devon Wildlife Trust’s website has information on how to start a wildlife garden from scratch.

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