Swallows are small aerial insectivores. The swallow species present in our watershed are the tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor), the bank swallow (Riparia riparia), the barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) and the white-fronted swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota).
The decline in populations of aerial insectivorous birds, including swallows, has become a major conservation concern in Canada and elsewhere. Resident groups, including our organization, are concerned about the rapid decline of the swallow population in our area.
With this project, Vision H2O is raising public awareness of the swallow population situation by sharing innovative solutions with the public to protect these species.
In addition, we have developed educational tools to raise public awareness of the swallow species in our area, how to identify them, their habitats and the actions they can take to protect these populations. The presence of swallows in our region is a good indicator of viable habitat for a variety of species. That's one of the reasons why it's so important to show people the link between our ecosystems and our species.
Vision H2O monitors Bank swallows. These birds nest in sand or silt banks by the sea, in quarries or on cliffs along waterways. Bank swallows are a species at risk. It is important to locate them and share this data with Nature Counts and Birds Canada.
If you see holes in the cliffs along the beach with small, fast birds coming out of them, they are Bank Swallows. Please let us know. To help them, walk closer to the water and not near the coastal dunes.
The installation of nesting boxes helps to provide artificial nesting habitat for tree swallows, as unfortunately, natural habitats are becoming less and less available. The nesting boxes also enable us to learn more about their behaviour and provide an opportunity to raise public awareness of the importance of this species. To be successful, nesting boxes need to be installed in the right place very early in the spring.
Over the past few years, our group has received two-tone cedar swallow boxes made locally by Louis-Émile Cormier of the Pays de Cocagne sustainable development group (GDDPC). Cedar nesting boxes are widely used and successful. They create habitats for our aerial insectivores. The choice of site in an open environment is very important for success.
The group continues its efforts to protect barn swallows in its watershed. Over the past few years, four sites (Portage Pork Plus, Ferme Vienneau 1 and 2, Ferme du Diamant) have been monitored during nesting to conduct the annual census. The presence of barns with openings to let them in helps maintain their population.
It was a good season for Tree swallows in 2024. In total, in Cap-Acadie there were 65 Tree Swallow and Eastern Bluebird nests in nesting boxes (including observations by residents). The results of Vision H2O's fall 2024 inventory show that 54 nests were built in 66 nesting boxes (82%). Of these, 4 had an Eastern Bluebird nest. Feces and piled nesting material were present in 49 of the 66 occupied nest boxes, indicating a breeding success rate of 74%. Four dead juveniles were found in one nest and a few unhatched Tree Swallow and Eastern Bluebird eggs (29) in 66 nest boxes. Last spring was generally cold at the start of the season. If a Tree swallow clutch averages 6 eggs according to our observations, we can therefore estimate that 342 Swallows might have fledged from the nesting boxes we built. These results are based on 57 nests with droppings and packed material observed in the community in Cap-Acadie). Barn swallows had great breeding success in 2024 inside some local wooden buildings and barns.
In 2023, there were 66/69 nesting boxes with a nest (62 swallow nests and 4 Eastern Bluebird nests), giving a nest success rate of 96% (89% in 2022). Three nesting boxes contained two nests. Again this year, there was mortality among the new generation. A total of 45 unhatched eggs (14 eggs in 2022) and 12 dead young (4 young in 2022) were found in our nesting boxes.
In 2022, the results show that there were 58/65 nesting boxes with a nest (56 swallow nests, 1 Eastern Bluebird nest and 1 Black-capped Chickadee nest), giving a nest success rate of 89% (92% in 2021). Unfortunately, mortality among the new generation is common. A total of 14 unhatched eggs (23 eggs in 2021) and 4 dead young (78 young in 2021) were found in our nesting boxes.
In 2021, 111 swallow and Eastern Bluebird nests were counted. 119 juveniles were found dead. This year was very different from other years, with juvenile swallow mortality in some areas. A sudden cold spell at the beginning of July seems to be largely responsible.
In 2020, there were 90 tree swallow nests in the nest boxes installed in our territory, including 2 Eastern Bluebird nests that had been counted.
This map shows the presence of tree swallow nesting boxes, bank swallow colonies and barn swallow nests in our watershed. Click on the symbols to find out where they are. Cliff swallows have been observed in our region.
If you go to one of the sites, observe from a distance and do not approach the nesting boxes or colonies. Note that many of the indicated sites are on private land and some are difficult to access, at your own risk.
Visit our Education page: Bank Swallows and Swallow Conservation
Copyright © 2024 Vision H2O
