Sunshine, budding trees, birdsong… All the signs of the calendar’s spring return are there. But, increasingly, the most symbolic sign is missing: swallows.
Swallows Almost Vanished in the Paris Region
The reality is frankly frightening: in France, since 2001, the populations of the two main swallow species, barn swallow and house martin, have declined by 28% and 25% respectively. Why do they seem to be fleeing the country now? The reasons are, unfortunately, well known: climate disruption, nest destruction, but also a drop in access to ample food.
These migratory birds are supposed to leave the heat of Africa to return to Europe to nest in spring. In some regions, biodiversity is literally plummeting. Thus, in the Île-de-France region, 90% of swallows have vanished in twenty years. And they are not alone, as recently highlighted by a study from the LPO (Bird Protection League) and the National Museum of Natural History: 86% of cinereous serins and 65% of common kestrels have also disappeared there.
Install an Artificial Nest at Home
Normally, the first swallows are seen in the Hexagon around mid-March, the majority returning from milder regions, from Africa, in April. But this gradual disappearance of the swallow in spring is not just a French issue: across Europe, there are 40% fewer birds, according to the Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme. Paradoxically, while pesticide use is among the most regulated in Europe, these insectivores are finding less and less food.
In addition, swallows face growing difficulty in nesting. Home renovations often involve damaging nests as buildings are upgraded. Such practices are prohibited by Article L411-1 of the Environmental Code, which bans “the destruction or removal of eggs or nests.” A simple thing you can do at home: buy an artificial nest and install it under the roof overhang of your house, your garage, or your carport. Simple and useful, so that swallows come back to your home at least in the spring!
Why Swallows Are Essential for Our Gardens
If swallows disappear, it’s not just bad news for bird lovers. Their presence plays a direct role in the balance of our gardens and countryside.
Swallows are fierce insect hunters. A single swallow can catch hundreds of insects per day, including mosquitoes, gnats, and other flies. A colony near a home can thus consume thousands of insects in a single day.
In other words, supporting swallows also promotes natural pest control, without pesticides or chemicals. Their gradual disappearance is thus a warning signal for the balance of ecosystems.
Three Simple Ways to Help Swallows Return
Everyone can contribute, even on a small scale, to making the return of swallows easier.
- Leave mud in spring: Swallows use small mud pellets to build their nests. A patch of damp soil in the garden can be very helpful.
- Avoid pesticides: These birds feed on insects. The fewer insects there are, the less food they have.
- Install artificial nests: Placed under a roof or overhang, they can help a colony settle more easily.
Build a Home Swallow Nest (Nature DIY)
It is possible to make a nest-support yourself to encourage swallow installation.
Materials:
- A small wooden board
- A bowl or hemispherical mold
- Plaster or a clay/sand mix
- A few screws
The process is to use the bowl as a mold to create a solid half-shell of plaster or clay. Once dry, the nest can be attached to a board and installed under a roof overhang, sheltered from rain and predators. The swallows can then complete the structure with mud and twigs.
This type of installation works particularly well in areas where natural nests disappeared after building renovations.
A Spring Symbol in Peril
For centuries, the arrival of swallows simply signaled the return of warmer days. Today, their scarcity has become a worrying indicator of biodiversity’s health.
Seeing a swallow in the spring sky remains a small miracle—and a quiet reminder that protecting nature often starts right above our own roofs.
