Nature And Landscape

Building Homes for Dales House Birds

Our project will inspire communities to save four iconic bird species within Yorkshire Dales settlements – House Martin, House Sparrow, Starling and Swift. Drastic declines in breeding populations mean all are on the UK Red List(1) and have been lost completely from many areas. We are fortunate that these house nesting birds are still found in Yorkshire Dales settlements. Nooks and crannies in unimproved houses, barns and farm buildings provide suitable nest sites and the surrounding landscape provides abundant food. The challenge is to ensure house nesting birds remain a key part of Dales life as buildings are retrofitted to meet net zero goals. Our project will bring people together to create suitable nest sites and enhance feeding areas so house nesting birds can thrive, protecting them for future generations. A volunteer-led citizen science project will create an important project legacy, informing future conservation actions. (1) Birds of Conservation Concern