Greetings from Jerusalem, whose holy sites host some of the oldest colonies of nesting swifts - NPR

What the report says

NPR World reports that Jerusalem’s ancient religious landmarks are also home to long-established colonies of swifts, the fast-flying birds recognizable by their curved, blade-like wings. According to the report, the birds have used crevices in the Western Wall and other holy sites in the city as nesting places for thousands of years.

The detail places a natural history story inside one of the world’s most closely watched urban and religious settings. The Western Wall, a major Jewish holy site in Jerusalem’s Old City, is visited by large numbers of worshippers and tourists, while nearby sacred places are central to multiple faith traditions. NPR’s report highlights that these structures are not only cultural and spiritual landmarks, but also part of a long-running habitat for wildlife.

The available NPR text does not provide additional figures, dates, named researchers or conservation measures. In general background, swifts are migratory aerial birds that spend much of their lives in flight and often return to established nesting sites in cliffs, walls or buildings. Their presence in historic masonry can draw interest from birdwatchers and conservationists because urban renovation, crowding and changes to old structures can affect nesting access.

The story matters because it connects Jerusalem’s built heritage with ecological continuity. It suggests that, alongside the city’s human history, some of its oldest stone spaces have supported generations of birds over a vast span of time.