Let the swallows in

By Catherine Keena

As April approaches, so will the first of our summer visitors. Swallows can start arriving in early April, although most come in May. Less than 250,000 pairs now breed throughout Ireland. One of the reasons for their decline is that farm buildings have become less accessible in recent years. Under Measure 8 in REPS, care must be exercised to retain access for owls and bats where such habitats exist. Don't forget to allow access for swallows if they come to visit you.

Swallow no Fainleog

Swallows return year after year to the same location from their wintering grounds in southern Africa. They seldom alight on the ground except to pick up nesting material. Nests made of mud pellets are built under rafters, on ledges and under eaves of old sheds. Long streamers on a forked tail distinguish dark blue swallows from swifts and martins.

Swifts and Martins

About 20,000 pairs of swifts are commonest in built up areas. They nest in holes under roofs of tall buildings. They are sooty brown and have a short-forked tail. Low-flying screaming displays occur in May.

About 70,000 pairs of housemartins nest under eaves of houses. They are blue-black with distinctive white rump and short forked tail. They avoid exposed locations.

Smaller brown sand martins have short slightly forked tails. Between 50,000 and 150,000 pairs nest in gravel or sand pits, in colonies of about a hundred.