Species Name: Swallow - Hirundo rustica

How to recognise

Swallows are migratory birds and in the UK they are the typical harbinger of spring; their arrival is eagerly anticipated by everybody with an interest in the natural world.

Swallows are approximately 20cm in length and have a wingspan of about 30cm, they have glossy blue/black plumage and deeply forked tails. Closer inspection will reveal a red throat and forehead and creamy-buff underparts.

Swallows can be differentiated from their close relative the house martin by the lack of a white rump and from the house martin, sand martin and the swift by the long forked tail. Swallows also tend to feed much closer the ground than other species where it will show its grace and agility in swooping low over meadows and water in search of insect prey.

Where to see

The swallow is widely distributed throughout the UK except the far North-west of Scotland. In Norfolk it is quite common and is present in summer in all parts of the county. Its favoured habitat is lowland farmland, which contain insect rich grasslands or wet meadows. They can often be found hawking around farmland barns and outhouses or old boatsheds which they will use as nesting sites. One excellent place to observe swallows at close quarters is at the NWT Ranworth Broad reserve. Here the birds nest in the roof support beams and can be watched tending to their young from the comfort of the Conservation Centre. Later in autumn adult and young birds congregate in reed-bed roosts, the NWT reserves at Cley Marshes, Martham Broad and Hickling Broad sometimes plays host to large numbers of roosting birds.

When to see

Swallows are summer visitors to the UK with first birds generally arriving in Norfolk in April and departing during September and October. In recent years there has been a trend for birds to arrive earlier and stay later with Norfolk records as early as February and late sightings into November. Spectacular numbers of migrating Swallows can sometimes be seen along the Norfolk coast where on favourable days during spring and autumn there are movements of hundreds of migrating birds.

Conservation status in Norfolk

The UK swallow population is estimated as something in the region of 375,000 pairs, and although they are still widely distributed their numbers are in overall decline. The main reason for this is believed to be deterioration in the quality of feeding habitat in both their breeding and wintering grounds. Another factor is diminishing availability of suitable nesting sites as farms are modernized and other ramshackle buildings are renovated or demolished. The swallow is now an Amber List species which means it is of medium conservation concern and has a population or range that has declined moderately in recent years.

How to help

If you have swallows on or near to where you live you can encourage them to nest in your garage or shed by either making a small opening under the eaves or by leaving a window open.

Did you know?

Swallows will sometimes occupy the same nesting sites for several years. At one site in Norfolk the accumulated material reached a height of over 30 cm.

Finding out more

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

British Trust for Ornithology

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