Drastic declines in breeding populations of House Martins, House Sparrows, Starlings and Swifts, mean that these once common birds are now on the UK Red List. House nesting birds are still found across the Yorkshire Dales where gaps in traditional buildings provide nesting sites and the surrounding landscape provides food. The challenge is to ensure these beautiful birds are not completely lost from our landscape, as land use changes, buildings are retrofitted and nesting sites are lost.

The Homes for House Birds project will work with communities in the Yorkshire Dales where there are still healthy populations of house birds, to create suitable long-lasting nests and enhance feeding sites, so they can continue to thrive. Events, training and opportunities for longer-term volunteering will empower people to improve and manage nesting sites and habitats for birds in their communities, and a citizen science project will help inform future conservation actions.