Swift Stickers FAQs

Can you tell me a bit more about this campaign?

Every year, millions of birds are killed by flying into windows. They can’t see the glass – to them, it looks like an open sky or trees. So they fly straight into it, often at full speed, and sadly many don’t survive.

Swifts in particular have seen their numbers in the UK drop by half in just 20 years. There are many reasons for this – but deadly collisions with windows contribute to this serious problem.

That’s where these special window stickers come in. These stickers break up the reflection on glass, helping birds to spot the window and avoid crashing into it. It’s an easy way to make your home safer for wildlife.

We’re offering free stickers – so you can do your bit to help protect birds. 

But that’s not all. 38 Degrees supporters are also taking action to protect swifts in other powerful ways – like urging the Government to require swift bricks in the planning of new buildings.

What do the stickers look like?

Please note this is for illustrative purposes only – the final design may vary.

What size are they ?

 We’re still in the early stages of this campaign, so we’re working closely with our suppliers to sort out final details. At the moment the plan is to have fairly standard sized stickers – very roughly 10 x 20 cm. But please note this is a rough estimate – final size may vary. 

When will I get my stickers?

You’re one of the first to hear about this exciting new campaign, and we’re thrilled to have you on board! Since we’re still in the early stages, we’re working closely with our suppliers to sort out the logistics and get your sticker to you as soon as we can.

We can’t give a firm delivery time frame just yet, but we’re aiming to have everything sent out as soon as possible.

As a small team at 38 Degrees, we don’t have the scale or speed of big online retailers like Amazon – so things can take a little longer. But please bear with us – we’re doing everything we can to get your sticker to you as quickly as possible, and we really appreciate your patience and support.

Do these stickers only work for swifts?

No, your stickers are designed to help many birds!

Swifts will start migrating from the UK in August – is there any point in getting these stickers now?

That’s right, swifts will start migrating from the UK towards warmer climates in August – heading towards warmer temperatures in sunny Africa. But it won’t be too long before they return to the UK in late April and May!

In the meantime, your stickers can also help prevent many other birds that stick around during the winter and beyond. 

Can I stick these stickers on something else?

These stickers are specifically designed to be stuck on glass surfaces like windows and glass doors.

How many stickers will be in a pack?

We’re currently working out the logistics of this and will update here once we know more.

I have multiple windows, can I order a second pack for other windows?

Unfortunately, due to limited stock we need to keep this campaign limited to one pack per household, so as many of us have a chance to get involved.

We recommend you place your stickers on a single window that meets any or all of the following criteria:

• Large, clear glass panes – Especially those that reflect trees, sky, or open areas. Birds often mistake these reflections for somewhere they can fly.
• Windows directly opposite each other – Birds may see straight through a building (such as front-to-back windows or glass corridors) and think it’s a clear flight path.
• Windows near bird feeders or wildlife-friendly gardens – Birds flying in and out quickly are more likely to hit nearby glass if it’s not marked.
• Corner or wrap-around windows – Birds may not recognise the edges and assume they can keep flying.
• Windows on upper floors – Particularly hazardous during migration, when birds are flying at higher levels and may not realise there’s a barrier.

How do these stickers work?

Birds can’t see glass. It looks like open sky or a reflection of trees – so they fly straight into it, often at full speed, leading to serious injury or even death. These stickers break up the reflection, helping birds spot and avoid the danger. 

Can I order a second sticker pack for another household? 

Stickers are limited to one per household for now but you can order another sticker for another household by using the link here.

Are the stickers free?

Yes, the stickers are free because we want everyone to be able to take part! However, if you’re able to do so, it would be great if you could chip in to help pay for stickers for people who can’t afford to. We recommend chipping £10 to help cover the cost of these special anti-colloison window stickers and back our campaigns to protect swifts. You can make a secure donation here.

Can I get a sticker in another language?

Unfortunately, these stickers are only available in English.

How can I help your campaign further once I’ve got my sticker?

We’d love to see your sticker on display! Please share photos with us: swiftstickers@38degrees.org.uk  (and if you do this, we might share your photo on social media, unless you ask us not to) or post @38degrees.bsky.social using the hashtag #SwiftStickers.

You can also chip in to help power our campaign for change in the weeks and months ahead, by chipping in securely here.