Barn swallows undertake one of the longest migrations of any British bird, facing welfare challenges at both ends of their journey.
Barn swallows face welfare pressures across their entire range. In Britain, modernised agriculture with sealed buildings eliminates nest sites. Intensive farming reduces the insect prey on which they depend. On migration, birds face hazards from storms, predators, and reduced insect availability over degraded habitats. In South Africa, pesticide use on wintering grounds harms birds.