The rescue of Belgrade’s Alpine Swifts

Last week, a giant political billboard was installed on the façade of the Albania Palace in central Belgrade. At first glance, it seemed like an ordinary political advertisement. But it soon turned into an enormous threat to a very special resident of the city. The billboard covered openings that serve as nesting sites for Alpine Swifts (Tachymarptis melba), a strictly protected species in Serbia. At this time of year, during the birds’ breeding season, the billboard prevented parents from reaching their chicks, which desperately needed food.

Luckily, Our Partner, the Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia (BPSSS), immediately alerted authorities, the media, and the public to the unfolding drama.

The response was extraordinary.

Scientists, environmental organisations, students, animal welfare advocates, journalists, and thousands of citizens demanded urgent action. Images and videos of swifts attempting to reach their nests spread rapidly across social media, drawing international attention. Over the course of a single weekend, multiple demonstrations were held in front of the building to demand the removal of the banner.

The case soon became about more than birds.

The billboard promoted the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), which has dominated Serbia’s political landscape for more than a decade. As public criticism grew, questions arose about who had approved the installation. Some senior political figures claimed they did not know who was responsible, a response that many citizens found difficult to accept. It was well known that for years the Albania Palace has hosted one of the country’s most important colonies of the Alpine Swift. For many citizens, the trapped swifts became a symbol of broader concerns about governance and public interest.

Ultimately, the public pressure forced institutions to respond. On the evening of the 30^th of May, climbers removed the giant banner from the façade, restoring access to the nests and allowing adult swifts to resume feeding their young. Citizens gathered in the centre of Belgrade to celebrate the moment with applause and relief.

The significance of this case goes far beyond the rescue of a single bird colony. It demonstrates how important independent scientific expertise, active civil society organisations, and public involvement are in protecting nature. The Alpine Swifts showed us that environmental issues can unite people across social and political divides and that when we come together and refuse to look away, we can make a difference.

Cover picture by ASakoulis/Shutterstock. Other pictures by BPSSS