Barn swallows are iconic farmland birds whose welfare depends on access to open buildings for nesting and insect-rich habitats for feeding. Both are increasingly difficult to find.
Swallow welfare during the breeding season depends critically on sustained insect availability. In cold wet summers, parents must increase foraging range dramatically, leaving chicks unbrooded and vulnerable to chilling. Modern sealed and insulated agricultural buildings exclude swallows from traditional nesting opportunities. Simple measures — leaving barn doors open, protecting nests from disturbance — have meaningful effects at the local scale.