Habitat preferences and nesting density of the Common Swift (Apus apus) in Havlíčkův Brod and its suburbs
Abstract
During a detailed survey of swift nest sites in buildings carried out in the town of Havlíčkův Brod, Czech Republic in the breeding season of 2010, altogether 88 occupied buildings were recorded. In total 334 breeding pairs were found, of which one pair nested outside buildings - in a tree cavity.
Concerning protection of the species, one important factor was identified: 82 percent of the nests were found in rather old buildings, which can be expected to go through extensive repairs, renovations or insulation in the foreseeable future. In the sample, two thirds of the buildings were high-rise buildings with three or more floors.
Breeding pair density in the whole study area reached 3.79 pairs per 10 ha. The density in urban parts reached 7.31 pairs per 10 ha.
Furthermore, the study revealed preference of swifts for north- and east-oriented nest sites.