Wildlife

Wild Swallow Migration Welfare

Barn swallows undertake twice-yearly migrations to and from sub-Saharan Africa, facing mortality risks throughout their journey.

Key Facts

Barn swallows travel approximately 10,000 km between UK breeding grounds and African winter range
Migration involves crossing the Sahara in a single non-stop flight
Drought in the Sahel affects insects critical for refuelling at stopover sites
Illegal hunting on migration routes through Mediterranean countries kills some birds
Young birds have significantly higher migration mortality than adults

Welfare Considerations

Swallows crossing the Sahara face potentially lethal dehydration and energy depletion if they cannot find food and water at stopover sites. Sahel drought driven by climate change reduces the fuel available for this critical crossing. Climate action and protection of Mediterranean stopover habitats are the most impactful welfare interventions during migration.

What You Can Do

Support climate action protecting the migration ecology of African-European migrants
Donate to organisations protecting Mediterranean stopover sites
Advocate for restrictions on illegal migratory bird hunting