Wildlife Welfare

Wild Barn Swallow Population and Farmland Welfare

Barn swallows have declined significantly across the UK due to prey insect loss, nesting site loss, and changes in farming practices.

Key Facts

UK barn swallow populations have declined by 46% since 1970
Swallows eat almost exclusively aerial insects caught in flight
Reductions in flying insect populations from pesticide use affect swallow nutrition
Access to old barns and farm buildings for nesting is increasingly restricted
Swallows migrate to sub-Saharan Africa and face hazards in both directions

Welfare Considerations

Barn swallows that cannot find sufficient insects to feed their chicks face nest failure and chick starvation. As insect populations decline, parents must forage further and longer to provision chicks, increasing parental exhaustion and chick starvation risk. Restoring insect-rich habitats through reduced pesticide use and grassland management directly improves individual swallow welfare.

What You Can Do

Support farm conservation schemes that maintain flying insect populations
Provide access to barn swallow nesting sites where possible
Advocate for pesticide reduction policies that restore insect prey