Cambridge International Swift Conference 2014

Conservation and Study of Alpine Swift (Apus melba) at the Bell Tower of Locarno – Switzerland by Lidia Mermoud Jiménez

Collaboration: Swiss Ornithological Institute Sempach SOS Uccelli Selvatici Association for the rehabilitation of avifauna, Italian Switzerland Ficedula Society for study and bird conservation, Italian Switzerland

Sponsored by:

Cambridge International Swift Conference 2014

Project head and author: Lidia Mermoud Jiménez Locarno Italian Switzerland Freelance Biologist

Email contact: [email protected]

Status of the Alpine Swift in Switzerland:

Among the 50 Conservation Priority Bird Species in Switzerland Great responsibility (B1) for the European population Nearly threatened (NT) because of the continuous destruction of nesting sites (renovations) EBCC Atlas of European Breeding Birds

Foto: Bruno Sommerhalder

Present population in Switzerland 2000-2300 pairs 80% of the population nests in buildings Without conservation measures, the population will decline rapidly!

Conservation of Swift Colonies (Apus sp.)

Distribution and nesting sites of Alpine Swift in Switzerland: Limit ot the northern distribution area is along the southwest of Germany.

© www.wikipedia.de

Nesting sites on the north side of the Alps and lowlands are mostly in buildings such as historic monuments or in window shutter boxes on high-rise buildings. On the south side of the Alps, mostly on mountain faces and on a few historic monuments and high-rise buildings.

Expanding towards the north!

© www.vogelwarte.ch

Conservation of Swift Colonies (Apus sp.)

Alpine Swift Colony at the Bell Tower of Locarno: Medieval military construction with a population of currently 50 individuals under the roof (Cantonal inventory 2010-2011) Unique pilot conservation project in a historic public monument in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. Mainly supported by the Municipality with materials and carpenters and by different associations such as: - Birdlife Switzerland - Swiss Ornitological Institute Sempach - Ficedula, Society for the study and conservation of Birds - Department for Nature Conservation, Canton Ticino © www.wikipedia.de

- WWF Switzerland

Conservation of Swift Colonies (Apus sp.)

Protective measures against Pigeons threatened the colony until 2008 (discovery date):

Many nests were destroyed and the access to the under-roof was blocked

The few remaining access points left space for only 5 pairs Traces inside the tower revealed the existence of a big colony in the past Adults regularly got trapped inside the tower

Conservation of Swift Colonies (Apus sp.)

Project objectives (long term study of min. 10 years): Preservation of the existing colony and encouragement of growth by restoring old nesting spaces and creating new ones.

Population trend and annual breeding success.

Ringing of individuals (adults - nestlings) to determine site fidelity, immigrationemigration rate and life expectancy Creation of a Nursery so as ringing of the introduced orphans. Study of the effects of adoption on the entire brood.

Conservation of Swift Colonies (Apus sp.)

Creation of a nature trail in the old town with educational panels: 3 historic monuments reveal life and habits of 3 different species of Swifts that colonise these buildings:

Alpine Swift Common Swift Pallid Swift

Exclusively in only one town of Switzerland in Locarno this summer!

Conservation of Swift Colonies (Apus sp.)

Method used to study the Nursery: Supervision of all broods from hatching to the fledging of the nestlings. Age determination of nestlings and orphans. Ringing of nestlings, : Silvia Volpi

orphans and possibly adults. Careful evaluation of health conditions in orphans and nestlings before adoption.

Conservation of Swift Colonies (Apus sp.)

Regular checking of weight and growth of nestlings and orphans after adoption. Assessing fledging success for nestlings and introduced orphans.

There are very few studies about the effects of orphan adoption on a brood and it is important to know how the entire brood developes by introducing an orphan to establish further criteria. Nurseries for Alpine Swift as for Common Swift orphans are quite requested then handrearing requires skill, sensitivity, time and a lot of patience. Correct feeding is a delicate task and the proper food such as crickets is very expensive.

Conservation of Swift Colonies (Apus sp.)

Precautions during egg laying and early breeding:

Risks to consider by starting the study:

Avoid ringing the adults during egg Laying and early breeding.

Interference causes stress and energy loss especially during bad weather conditions, when food is less available.

Adults are difficult to catch and should be ringed before or after incubation. Nestlings shouldn’t be disturbed and Ringed until reaching the right size (age of about 30 days).

Interference mostly scares the breeders and induces them to leave for a while their nests.


Non-invasive observation methods and careful evaluation are essential.

Risk of breeders abandoning the nest if there is interference before incubation!

Always act in the interest of the birds.

Conservation of Swift Colonies (Apus sp.)

Nature Swift-Trail in the Old Town of Locarno

Cantonal inventory of swift colonies in Locarno (2010)

Conservation of Swift Colonies (Apus sp.)

Nature trail 1. Trail stop: Pallid Swift Colony at the S. Antonio Church Foto: Giovanni Boanooto: Giovanni Boano

The trail is marked with educational information and pictures.

Conservation of Swift Colonies (Apus sp.)

Nature trail 2. Trail stop: Common Swift Colony at the Visconti Castle of Locarno

Conservation of Swift Colonies (Apus sp.)

Nature trail 3. Trail stop: Alpine Swift Colony at the Bell Tower of Locarno

© www.ticinoweekend.ch

Foto: Bruno Sommerhalder

Conservation of Swift Colonies (Apus sp.)

Special thanks to: Willem Witvliet; Hans Schmid, Swiss Ornithological Institute for all advice, enabling me to band Alpine- and Common Swifts SOS Uccelli Selvatici for handling orphaned Alpine Swift nestlings

Roberto Lardelli Ficedula - Society for study and bird conservation for all advice and for supporting the project from the early beginning Municipality of Locarno for all the thrust and big support from the early beginning