tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8498120931340482907.post2618993928075728437..comments2023-07-04T02:18:06.944-07:00Comments on Garden Bird Year: Swifts and Swallows Scarce?Oran Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01154961915546502907noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8498120931340482907.post-86559417970228957612015-09-03T10:14:58.430-07:002015-09-03T10:14:58.430-07:00Hi Oran, - I too am always interested in the numbe...Hi Oran, - I too am always interested in the numbers of hirundines and Swifts that turn up here every summer and wonder how they're doing. Of course my observations are just anecdotal and do not tell us much about the actual situation. But for what it's worth, I thought Swift numbers were down yet again this year and I fear for the future of this bird. Even if we do everything possible to provide nest sites for them, it still may not offset the losses they are likely to be experiencing on their African wintering grounds, where the tropical forests are being reduced slowly but surely, removing the massive flyfest that Swifts rely on, especially as they fatten up for their epic return journey to Ireland. Those in Congo and Liberia are the most essential for Swift.<br /><br />I believe Swallows are still doing well in Ireland, it is still one of our most abundant summer migrants and one of the most welcome. I don't know how House Martins are faring, it would probably need a dedicated survey to determine their current status; I know they are very worried about declining numbers in the UK, but it is possible Ireland is benefiting from Britain's loss, as it were, through displacement of the population,most likely a range shift prompted by climate change.<br /><br />Likewise, I don't know how Sand Martins are doing overall, though one colony I know of was deserted this year, but that was because their nesting sand-cliffs were destroyed; hopefully they found another place to build their nests. However, to end on a positive note, I visited the colony at Shanganagh on the south Dublin coast two days ago (1st September) and there were still at least two dozen birds present, with young still to feed at their nests, presumably second brood birds. So that's a healthy colony anyway.<br /><br />Coilin MacLochlainnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08056888961235655816noreply@blogger.com