Swallows (also known as barn swallows) are summer migrants to the UK, usually arriving from early April onwards after flying 6,000 miles from Africa. I’m always amazed how birds that weigh no more than 25 grams can make such epic journeys, feeding on the wing to maintain their energy.

Swallows are graceful aerial acrobats which helps them secure an ample supply of flying insects. Watching their precision as the birds skim across the top of open water to drink is a real thrill. I often wonder how they don’t end up splashing down.

Swallow spotting

Swallows can be found across most of the UK. In flight, they can be confused with similar species, such as martins and swifts. I find it useful to look for the long, forked tail and longer wings, and to listen for the chattering trilling sound.

If you’re fortunate to spot a swallow at rest, its markings are quite distinctive with a dark blue-black head and wings, red face, and cream chest.

Their preferred habitat is open areas where they can feed in flight, so swallows are less likely to be seen in city centres.

According to data from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), the breeding population of swallows in the UK declined between 1995 and 2022. The availability of insects for food, particularly as our climate changes, is undoubtedly a factor in this

A telltale sign of nesting swallows is a pile of droppings beneath eaves or on the floor of barns and outbuildings. Cup shaped nests are built from mud and tucked away in lofty corners.

When I worked on a nature reserve, it wasn’t uncommon for swallows to nest in the bird hides which almost defeated the purpose of the hides themselves. Occasionally, I could catch a glimpse of the young birds poking out from the nest awaiting their parents with the next food delivery.

Swallows in folklore

In folklore, swallows were often associated with good luck, both in homes and for sailors on long voyages.

There is also a swallow featured in one of Aesop’s Fables, when a young man sees the first swallow and sells his winter coat, assuming that the cold weather has ended, only for freezing conditions to return. A useful reminder that overnight frosts continue into spring.

At one time, centuries ago, swallows were thought to hibernate during the winter. I’ve also read accounts of people believing that the hibernation took place under water – perhaps linked to them visiting open water during the summer months.

Helping swallows

At home, if you’ve got a garden or green space, planting for insects is a good way to support swallows, helping to supplement their food supply.  Planting a mix of flowers that bloom throughout the summer is a great idea. I’ve seen several estimates for the number of insects that swallows consume each day, ranging from 350 to more than 500. With up five chicks in a swallow’s nest, that is a lot of insects required each day.

If birds are nesting, ensuring that they are free from disturbance through the breeding season will also help.

Find out more about planting for insects, and recording your wildlife sightings, with Team Wilder:

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