Barn Swallow atop dead tree (Hirundo rustica)
Although Barn Swallows are the most abundant swallow worldwide they have been designated Threatened in Ontario. Their numbers declined by 30% between 1999 and 2009.
On wire fence
Scientists are studying the reasons looking at breeding grounds, wintering grounds and migration routes and focussing in on
- loss of flying insects which makes up the bulk of their diet
- changes in modern agriculture that have created loss of breeding habitat
- Competition from other birds such as house sparrows for nesting places
- insect pests such as blowflies and mites
Two on wire fence
I am connecting to Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE
35 comments:
Beautifully captured, and as quickly as they move - it couldn't have been easy either! I love watching swallows.
Saw lots of swallows up at Peaks of Otter last week.
Your photographs of birds are always a pleasure to see. Hope Ontario solves and corrects the mystery of the threatened swallows. Mother Earth's other inhabitants are not always kind to wildlife.
These are really great. Love the jaded colors of their feathers.
Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography
Great shots. It is a worry what is happening to bird populations. We have some birds here that have stayed here instead of migrating back to the northern hemisphere like they usually do. Its a bit scary when animals stop doing the normal things. Scientists think it is to do with climate change.
Beautiful birds, I hope their numbers increase. They must be fun to watch in flight.
Darla
Beautiful birds and informative post. We have to be careful not to crowd birds and other wildlife out.
this is a sad story about these little birds. so cute and sweet.. i am afraid we have ruined our eco system to the point of no return
I did not know that the swallow numbers are on the decline. That is sad. I wondered if all this spraying to control the mosquitoes has an effect on the birds. Pretty captures of the swallows. Have a happy day and new week ahead!
A lovely series, E.G. It's interesting again to realize how interconnected we are and how our actions do have consequences and how we need to reflect upon those consequences on our small avian friends.
I adore these little birds. We have a few families of them even nesting in my front walkway!
That is so sad about these birds. Very well captured frames.
I love barn swallows. They are so fun to watch, How sad they are declining there.
Keep envying the variety of your birds, the images are excellent as always...
Beautiful captures. They're looking quite stoic.
Sorry to hear of this. Such a pretty bird, I love to watch them soaring around and catching bugs. Your shots are beautiful as usual.
Oh, yes! Beautiful shots indeed, as always, EG!! And I always enjoy the information you share with us! But it is sad to learn they are declining! I'm afraid that's happening to a number of species. Such a pretty little bird!! Hope your new week is going well!! Enjoy!!
They're pretty little birds but can be a nuisance too!
Beautiful birds and wonderful shots!
Great photos...and we both did swallows this week (mine were Tree Swallows).
I love these little guys...I wonder if they are in decline all over? I sure hope not.
Well, that is a unhappy story. One that sadly repeats itself for many species. Man has wrought havoc in many ways and never seems to learn that there is always a price to pay. We have barn swallows here and this year there seem to be fewer than in the past. It makes me sad ... Beautiful pictures though. Hope you will be able to continue photographing them for years to come.
Andrea @ From the Sol
I usually see them near the city yards where we take batteries to recycle - there are lots of trees and hills and probably a lot of bugs flying around too because the city does their composting there.
Great captures of these beautiful birds.
Great stuff, that first one's a stunner..
They look pretty proud don't they.
I wonder what is going on. I have always thought that barn swallows are pretty common. Good luck to the researchers in finding the cause.
I know that many people do not like the Barn Swallow,but I think they are cute and I like their feisty attitude.
Cute little birds!
Amazing shots. I don't know how you do it!
=)
I am so sorry they are on the decline in Ontario! I hope the scientists can figure out why and reverse that trend. They are beautiful birds!
Wonderful images.
I so love Swallows and Barn Swallows are so very beautiful and useful. How very sad to hear they are on the decline in some places. Goodness so many flying insects and even in large cities, I have seen them at their parks, always doing their thing. Thank you for sharing EG~
That's a frightening thought! Barn Swallows threatened! Yikes! I hope they can figure out what exactly is making their numbers decline. Although nature has a way of fluctuating up and down at times with species but I think the people variety may be the cause of this one. They are so common here that I never worry about these birds. Good info to know and thanks for sharing.
Very cute birds, Tina!
Thanks for sharing your research on the decline of these nice birds.
As a species, we have managed to wipe-out many a species, killed millions of our own - sad, but true!
Have a Wonderful Weekend, Tina!
Peace :)
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