National and regional patterns of habitat association with foraging Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica in the UK

Capsule Barn Swallows showed a consistent association with cattle across the UK, but certain landscape features, particularly mixed field types and tall trees, were also important.

Aim To provide nationally representative data on habitat selection in foraging Barn Swallows.

Method Observers carried out four timed point counts within an allocated 2-km square(s). Point counts were at least 500 m apart and considered as independent sample points. Each point count covered 100 m radius and was visited twice during the summer. An index of foraging activity was derived from the number of foraging passes made by Barn Swallows within ten minutes. The maximum count of Swallows present was also recorded. Habitat data included the presence or absence of landscape features and buildings and the proportion of area covered by particular crop and boundary types within the 100 m count radius.

Results Cattle were the single most important and most consistent variable associated with foraging Barn Swallows, in every UK region. Horses were also important in the southeast. Grassland was only important if livestock were present. Foraging pass rates were higher where count circles contained a mixture of grass and arable fields rather than just one or the other. There was a general positive relationship between foraging pass rates and the presence of tall trees in boundaries, and this was significant in the arable eastern region of the UK, where their relative importance of concentrating prey may be more acute.

Conclusion Historical changes in the distribution and availability of habitat features associated with foraging Barn Swallows are consistent with regional differences in population change for this species in the UK. These patterns of association are discussed in terms of changes in land use, the widespread loss of mixed farming and simplifications to landscape complexity.