BIRD watchers are being urged to submit details of swift nests after a big drop in their numbers.

Swift numbers declined by 45 per cent in the North West between 1995 and 2010 and experts now fear the wet summer may cause numbers to drop further.

As well as poor weather conditions, one of the main problems the birds are facing is a lack of nesting sites.

They typically nest in the roof space of people’s homes, but renovation of old buildings and the creation of new ones with no access or space for nests means they are being left homeless.

Martin Harper, the RSPB’s conservation director, said: “The last thing this struggling species needed was to be hit hard by the wet weather this year.

To log a swift nest sighting, visit www.rspb.org.uk/ helpswifts.