YORKSHIRE Dales residents are being asked to help the conservation of swifts by recording nest sites or where they see a ‘screaming party’ this summer.

Swifts are currently returning from Africa to breed and can be seen in many Dales villages and towns, although populations are in steep decline across the UK.

Groups of screaming swifts flying fast and low are a sure sign that birds are nesting locally.

The forms for recording a nest site or a screaming party can be found online and the conservation project is being run by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) in partnership with the Sedbergh Swift Community Group.

Tanya Hoare, a member of the Sedbergh Swift Community Group, said: “Knowing where swifts nest will mean we can better protect these endangered birds.

"So why not help by sending your swift sightings in.

"Unless we act now, we are in danger of losing them forever.”

Ian McPherson of the YDNPA, said: “Screaming parties of swifts are the sound of summer in the Yorkshire Dales National Park."

He added: “Please do take a minute or two to submit a record if you see swifts flying near you."

The monitoring form can be found at yorkshiredales.org.uk by follow the link on the Swift Conservation Project page.