15-5-2015 EBRO DELTA, TARRAGONA - BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica)

The sight of an early spring Swallow with its long, forked tail, red throat and white belly signals that summer is not far away.

A long-distance migrant, many of our Swallows spend the winter months in South Africa. The first Swallows begin to arrive in the UK during March and stay here into October. In recent years a small number of birds have attempted, in some years successfully, to overwinter in the UK.

The Swallow can be found across Britain & Ireland and can be seen flying at speed just inches above its favoured grassland feeding habitat as it snatches its insect prey. UK Swallow have fluctuated sharply in recent decades, with declines seen in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland since about 2010.