Dennis,



I suspect that what you say about decline of insects is true, and this would do much to explain the decline of many insect-eating birds (or at least, those that eat flying insects). However-- are you aware of any research into trends in abundance of flying insects in general, or of any species that are important bird food? I have heard of little if any research in this area.



We have a very good idea of trends in numbers of most songbirds because of programs like the Breeding Bird Survey (in which I am still participating every year), and of waterfowl and seabirds because of annual surveys by professional biologists. However, there seems to be very little info on the abundance of food organisms for songbirds, especially on flying insects. Therefore, although we can say with a high degree of confidence that certain species of birds have declined, and just how severe those declines are, we are reduced to guessing at the causes of those declines.



If, as I suspect, there has been little if any research into population trends of flying insects, it is a glaring gap in our knowledge which urgently needs to be addressed in the immediate future.



Wayne C. Weber

Delta, BC

contopus at telus.net







From: Tweeters [mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman11.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Dennis Paulson
Sent: Sunday, August 19, 2018 12:52 PM
To: TWEETERS tweeters
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Lack of Barn Swallows



Tweets, I agree entirely with Bud on what is probably the major cause of decline in Barn and other swallows. Insects are in decline all over the world, and that has to be one of the most profound environmental changes of our time. The majority of vertebrates eat insects, including freshwater but not marine fishes. Many of them eat only insects. We not only destroy the habitats of insects, but we actively persecute them. As a species, we don't like 'em.



And remember all of our swallows are highly migratory, passing through areas all the way down into South America that may be experiencing similar declines. Pesticides rule in many tropical countries where extensive monocultures of pineapples, bananas, sugar cane, tea, coffee and other crops are grown. Anyone for breakfast?



Interestingly, in Washington as a whole Barn Swallows are declining but Violet-greens aren't, according to data from the Breeding Bird Survey. This is statewide, but we all know how much both species have declined in Seattle and I assume other urban areas. I wonder if declines might also be due to loss of breeding sites or nest material (mud and possibly urban ledges for Barn, nest holes for Violet-green). One thing we do in our society is attempt to tidy things up over time, and that could well involve actions that block access to nest sites for swallows. That could even be involved in the declines of House Sparrows and European Starlings that have been so obvious in recent years.



We are putting up nest boxes for Purple Martins in hopes of bringing their populations back up to the numbers of decades ago. I wonder if we should be thinking in terms of nest sites for our other urban swallows.



Dennis Paulson, wannabe hirundologist



On Aug 19, 2018, at 12:00 PM, tweeters-request at mailman11.u.washington.edu wrote:



Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2018 12:21:13 -0700
From: Bud Anderson < <mailto:falconresearch at gmail.com> falconresearch at gmail.com>
To: tweeters < <mailto:tweeters at u.washington.edu> tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Subject: [Tweeters] Lack of Barn Swallows
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Ed,

I have been watching late summer swallows at Sea-Tac on an incidental basis
since 2001, enjoying the large numbers of family groups that used to
congregate on the west side perimeter fence each summer. I always looked
forward to their pre-dispersal numbers. I estimated this annual mixed
species swallow flock to be in excess of 1,200 birds.

However, over the years, this number has decreased markedly and I doubt
there are now more than 100 that gather there anymore. I will make sure to
count them this week.

Even here on the Samish Flats, there are far fewer swallows than normal.

Like you, I find it incredibly depressing to even think of the possibility
that we could lose our swallows.

As to causes, I think one of the most logical avenues of thought would
involve the famous decrease in insects that is being reported these days.

Maybe we could hear from any swallow biologists out there.

Anybody?



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