The old saying “a swallow does not make a spring” actually has very little to do with the bird or the season. Drawn from a text by Aristotle, it means you should not draw hasty conclusions from a single fact to generalize. That said, swallows do return in spring, and they are back in France. Here are some tips to help them nest and, above all, reproduce.
Absolute prohibition on touching swallow nests, it’s a crime
Having a swallow nest can cause some nuisances, no doubt: noise, droppings… and swallows that, to protect their young, attack when you approach a little too closely. But that is not a sufficient reason to touch them: French law indeed forbids destroying swallow nests, regardless of the time of year.
It is a crime punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine of €150,000. By contrast, you should help swallows nest, for example by installing nest boxes high up, or by avoiding roofing work between April and June, the period during which swallows settle in France and reproduce. And remember: swallows return each year to the same places, often to the same nests that can be used by several generations of birds.
For those bothered by bird droppings, a simple solution: install a wooden board under the nest to clean each year after the birds have departed and to reinstall. It keeps droppings from falling on walls and the ground, while preserving the nest and the birds.
Water and insects: make sure swallows have something to eat!
Swallows are, moreover, an endangered species with a population that has fallen by about 40% on average across all species since the early 2000s. It’s therefore essential to protect them. And what better way than to make feeding easier?
As for all birds, if possible, provide water so they can hydrate. Don’t be surprised if this same water source is quickly used by other birds in the vicinity… And remember to replenish the water regularly, especially in hot weather and bright sun, as water tends to evaporate.
If you have a garden, you can also help swallows by trying to attract insects. To do this, avoid phytosanitary products (bad for the planet in general) and let the grass grow as long as possible, instead of mowing it weekly. Plant flowers that naturally attract insects as well—a colorful garden and a pantry for the birds.
