Swallow Conservation
Six species of swallows breed in New Hampshire, and populations of five of these have been declining since the 1960s. These declines are part of a more widespread decline of “aerial insectivores” (birds that capture insects on the wing, including swifts, swallows, nighthawks, and flycatchers) across northeastern North America. Biologists are unsure why these species are declining, but possible explanations include pesticides (on both breeding and wintering grounds), habitat loss, and climate change.
We lack current information on the statewide distribution of swallow breeding colonies. Such data were last collected during the Breeding Bird Atlas in the early 1980s, and in the decades since we have seen many former swallow colonies disappear or shrink in size. The first step in effective conservation of these species is a better understanding of their status. NH Audubon encourages people to report nesting swallows to eBird (click here to access the NH eBird portal).
Swallow Fact Sheets (PDF format)
New Hampshire Swallow Fact Sheet
Conservation of Bank Swallows at Active Gravel Pits
NH Cliff Swallow Information Brochure