SWIFTS are amazing birds.

One of the fastest-moving creatures on the planet, they stay on the wing for the first two or three years of their lives.

They can eat, sleep, drink, preen and mate in the air, and potentially clock up a staggering four million miles in a lifetime!

Swifts have to come to earth to nest, however, and at that time they are probably more dependent on man-made structures than any other bird.

Sadly, these airborne summer visitors with their characteristic high-pitched cries and sickle shaped wings, have experienced a dramatic decline in recent years, with the Welsh population falling by nearly 60 per cent in the last 20 years.

A major factor behind this is thought to be loss of traditional nesting sites in buildings, particularly the sealing-up of gaps under roof tiles and eaves, although recent studies on the loss of flying insect species point to another challenge swifts may be facing.

The North Wales Wildlife Trust (NWWT) has been working to raise awareness about the plight of our swifts, educating people about the need to protect nest sites during building renovations, and encouraging people to record their local swift populations.

They have also been installing specially designed swift nest-boxes on suitable buildings across the region, to try and provide alternative accommodation for swifts that may have been made homeless.

Recordings of swift calls can be used to try and attract them into the boxes.

In late April and early May, swifts begin to return from Africa to breed in North Wales.

In the next couple of weeks, you may see or hear them over villages and towns in your area.

You can make a difference to helping swifts in North Wales by recording any sightings using the special Swift Recovery page on Cofnod, by visiting www.cofnod.org.uk/LinkInfo?ID=10

The NWWT is one of a partnership of 47 wildlife trusts across the UK, plus the Isle of Man and Alderney.

Their vision is 'an environment richer in wildlife for everyone' and collectively the wildlife trusts are the largest UK charity dedicated exclusively to conserving all our habitats and species, with a membership of more than 800,000 people, including 100,000 junior members.

Trusts campaign for the protection of wildlife and invest in the future by helping people of all ages to gain a greater appreciation and understanding of wildlife.

In North Wales, the NWWT cares for over 30 nature reserves and has 4,600 members.

For further information about the wildlife trusts, phone 01248 351541 or visit www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/northwales