Swifts are in tragic decline. There should be a march on Westminster | Patrick Barkham

Summer is a shadow of its former self with so few of these miraculous birds around. Their loss must be fiercely foughtIt is the most miraculous bird, the ultimate winged messenger, exploring our globe, spending its life on the breeze. Sickle-shaped wings silhouetted against the sky, the swift is the fastest of all birds in level flight and remains entirely airborne for 10 months, or more, feeding, sleeping and mating on the wing. These long-lived creatures can clock up four million miles, commuting between English summers and African winters.Something has changed though. June is erupting as gloriously as it ever did: roadsides are waving with oxeye daisies and blackbirds flute during the endless evenings. But summer is a shadow of its former self. The swifts aren't here. Continue reading...