[Tweeters] RE Decline in swallow numbers

[via Tweeters]

Hi Tweeters,

            I read with interest all the posts yesterday about the decline
in swallow numbers.  We moved to Edmonds in 2017 and have had swallows
around our house and down at the Edmonds marsh every year.  But I also sense
that their numbers are dropping here.  Before 2020 we would have maybe 15 or
20 swallows flying over the trees between our house and Pine Ridge Park, not
far away.  Now we are pleased to see 4 or 5.  Ours are always Violet-green.
We put up a swallow box a few years ago and have had swallows in it every
year except when we had the heat dome at the end of June-was that in 2021?
Anyway after the heat dome, there were no insects and the swallows left for
the year.  

            My theory is that we have fewer insects now, perhaps because of
insecticides or perhaps because of global warming.  Fewer insects means
fewer swallows, I think.  The swallows this year didn't begin nesting until
June.  This was late-they are usually done nesting by mid-June.  The had at
least one chick, but it got harder and harder for the parents to find
insects for feed the chick.  The adults would be gone for long periods of
time and finally we would see them far off hawking for a few bugs.  We think
at least one chick fledged last week.

            Anyway, we probably need more insects!  

Charlotte Byers, Edmonds

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