Excited birdwatchers gathered in numbers at Mount Moreland on Friday evening to witness the annual barn swallow roosting.

The migrating barn swallows are one of KZN’s most majestic natural phenomena. Also called European Swallows, they migrate to the North Coast to roost at the Lake Victoria wetland every year from mid-October to mid-April.

Mount Moreland is a stopover for millions of barn swallows during the European winter and this unique migratory phenomenon saw Birdlife International and Birdlife South Africa declare the wetland an Important Bird Area (IBA) in 2006.

Lake Victoria has been included in an international conservation programme that not only looks after the birds but also their environment.

Barn swallows play a pivotal ecological role. They consume a range of insects, including mosquitoes and agricultural pests, which maintains the balance of many ecosystems during migration.

They contribute to pollination, fertilisation and seed dispersal, which is important for plant regeneration across different ecological habitats.

“The numbers of swallows this season are awesome and have really grown over the last few weeks,” said resident Genevieve Marsden.

The Mount Moreland Monitors Committee has recently taken over the site to preserve and run the wetland.

“This is our first year managing the barn swallow viewing site,” said committee chairperson Hayley Wagner.

“We are looking to raise much-needed funds to improve the security and maintenance of the village and upkeep of the site.”

Birdwatchers are encouraged to set up picnic blankets or chairs at the lake before sunset to experience this extraordinary natural wonder.

During season, the viewing site is open to visitors on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 5 to 7pm. Entrance fees are R50 for adults and R20 for kids.

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