Time to reintroduce nature to our cities
Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell will be bringing plans that would require all new buildings above a certain size to install swift nesting boxes as part of their design.
The proposals, which will be lodged today as an amendment to the Scottish Government’s Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill, would help to reverse the decline of swifts and other urban birds.
According to the RSPB, the UK’s swift population has fallen by two thirds since 1995 with part of the problem being caused by a loss of nesting places. In 2020, they were added to the UK's red list of birds most in need of conservation.
Mark said:
“The swift population has been falling for decades with knock-on impacts for nature and the world around us. What I’m proposing is a simple, low-cost and common sense solution that will support our nature and help us to reverse years of decline.
“Introducing swift bricks is a small and easy act of kindness and conservation that supports nature and makes our communities more liveable for birds and other wildlife. It’s a small piece of practical environmental change that can and should be open to everyone.
“It is regrettable that Labour has blocked similar moves in England, but that is no reason for inaction here in Scotland. I hope that the government will consider my proposals and that we can deliver a greener Scotland one building at a time.”