Scotland mandates 'swift bricks' in all new buildings to save birds

While some developers argue over whether to install a €3,000 coffee machine in the new office, Scottish authorities have tackled a more pressing issue: where swifts will live. Starting 2026, all new buildings in Scotland must include 'swift bricks' — hollow blocks that serve as nesting sites for these birds. Yes, you heard that right: bricks are now not just building material but social housing for birds.

The idea isn't entirely new — similar bricks have been used in the UK for sparrows and swifts. But Scotland has taken it further by making them mandatory. Swift populations have declined by 60% in the last 20 years, largely because modern buildings lack the nooks and crannies found in older structures. So now developers will have to include not only ventilation but also 'avian luxury suites' in their plans.

For us in tech, this is a great reminder: if even construction can implement a feature to save an ecosystem, why do our projects still lack proper documentation? On a more serious note, it's a lesson that any system — be it a building or code — should consider all stakeholders, even those who can't file a ticket in Jira.