Swallows under global spotlight

AS our summer draws to an end the barn swallows, which while away the southern summer in the Umzumbe area, are fattening up and preparing for their amazing journey to their northern hemisphere breeding grounds.

The little birds will be missed. On summer evenings, many South Coast nature lovers are enthralled by the massed fly-in of about 3-million swallows returning to the Umzumbe River to roost in its extensive reed beds. It is an amazing sight. Umzumbe is one of the biggest barn swallow roosts in southern Africa. There are two other known roost sites on the South Coast, at St Michael’s and at Southbroom, but these are much smaller than the massive one at Umzumbe.

From an environmental point of view this site is very important as many southern African sites are being lost to development. The Umzumbe swallows are closely monitored by bird ringer Andrew Pickles, recognised in birding circles as an authority on the species.

Thanks to Andrew who gives regular talks at the roost site, the birds have many local fans. This year, also because of Andrew’s interest in the species, the little visitors have enjoyed plenty of international attention, too. The breeding habits of the barn swallow are fairly well documented by ornithologists in Europe but there are many gaps in the knowledge about the swallows’ migration routes and southern destinations. This is where Andrew’s ringing programme comes in. Recaptures of birds ringed by South Africans and their European counterparts are shedding a little light on the puzzle.

Through his website, Andrew is in touch with barn swallow experts around the world and the work he is doing at the Umzumbe roost site is gaining international attention. In 2012, the Umzumbe swallows were featured in a one-hour nature documentary that was part of a popular United Kingdom series called ‘Winterwatch’. The BBC is considering returning to the roost site to film a follow-up insert.

Two visitors from Europe recently came to South Africa specifically to meet Andrew and to see the Umzumbe roost site. Peter Teglhoj, a bird ringer from Denmark and an authority on the barn swallow, is conducting a study on the birds’ success rates for breeding in both natural and artificial nests in Europe. During his nine-day visit to the South Coast Peter spent a great deal of time at the Umzumbe roost site and he and Andrew ringed 230 swallows there. Peter also collected feather samples for analysis of DNA and various trace elements that could provide scientists with information about the European origins of the Umzumbe birds.

The other recent international visitor was ornithologist Lasse Kylanpaa from Finland who is writing a book about four species of migratory birds, including the barn swallow. In Europe, the birds pair off to spend the season breeding and raising their chicks (usually two clutches) so, while juveniles might seek out reed beds as roosting sites, the dramatic evening spectacle of millions of them coming in to roost is a southern phenomenon. Like Peter, Lasse was fascinated to see the evening roost site show in Umzumbe.

Andrew is also in contact with a ringer from Spain who would like to visit the roost site, so the international attention might continue next summer. Barn swallow expert are also looking at organising an international get-together to compare notes and study findings. Sadly, financial restraint might prevent Andrew from attending the meeting, although he would have much to contribute. His has learnt a great deal about these fascinating little Umzumbe summer visitors.