Upper Columbia Swallow Habitat Enhancement Project
This multi-year project aims to conserve and enhance habitat for at-risk bank and barn swallows in the North Columbia and East Kootenay.
Artificial nesting structures and nest cups will be installed to replace nests that have been removed (or will be removed soon) and to entice barn swallows to existing nesting sites by making them more attractive for breeding. Breeding habitat will be expanded for at-risk bank swallows.
Update: Hundreds of hectares enhanced for at-risk swallows
Seven artificial nesting structures were installed and 525 hectares of barn swallow habitat were enhanced.
Two sites were enhanced for bank swallows, for a total of 150 hectares of enhanced habitat for at-risk swallows.
Nest cups were built, and future enhancements are being planned with help from 125 volunteers who are monitoring the swallows.
Executive Summary
Avian aerial insectivores (e.g., swallows, flycatchers, nightjars) have experienced the steepest population declines of any group of birds in Canada. The Upper Columbia Swallow Habitat Enhancement Project (UCSHEP) is a five-year (2021-2026) initiative using a multi-faceted approach to conserve and enhance two at-risk species – Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) and Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica). The main overarching goals of UCSHEP are: a) create and enhance breeding areas, b) complete effectiveness monitoring at all enhancement sites, c) build increased awareness for swallows including Indigenous perspectives, d) coordinate citizen-scientists to inventory/monitor swallow nests, and e) participate in Motus Wildlife Tracking to learn about Bank Swallow migration routes and important areas outside their breeding range.
There are a number of cumulative factors responsible for significant population declines of aerial insectivores, including widespread pesticide use, population decline of aerial insects, climate change, collisions with vehicles, and the loss of breeding, foraging and winter habitat. To increase habitat availability for at-risk swallows, the UCSHEP erected seven artificial nesting structures (ANSs) including a structure built to satisfy habitat requirements for bats and swallows, installed nest cups on pre-existing structures, enhanced and expanded Bank Swallow habitat in Invermere and near Parson, and is collaborating with partners to create the first artificial nesting structure for Bank Swallows in western Canada. Effectiveness monitoring has and will continue to occur at all enhancement and restoration sites.
Monitoring natural and artificial nest sites is providing information about the distribution and abundance of Bank and Barn Swallow species in the Columbia Valley study area. In 2023, 82 people volunteered to monitor swallows, with 125 volunteers participating since 2021. The UCSHEP has identified 171 swallow colonies in suitable Bank Swallow habitat (e.g., near vertical slopes, friable soils) from Canal Flats to Donald; 115 of those have been confirmed as Bank Swallow colonies. Barn Swallow nests have been discovered on 113 structures at 62 unique locations. All swallow monitoring data was submitted to the provincial data warehouse (Wildlife Species Inventory – WSI). UCSHEP data is being used for potential Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) status, has contributed to the development of wildlife corridors through Kootenay Connect, development permit applications, and will assist with future expansion of Bank Swallow critical habitat under the Species at Risk Act.
The UCSHEP has also participated in the Motus Wildlife Tracking initiative. Through a collaboration with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Service (ECCC CWS) and other partner groups, three large (Yagi) and three small (omni-directional) Motus Wildlife Tracking Stations were installed in the study area. In 2023, Bank Swallows were tagged with miniature digital radio transmitters (Motus tags) at two colonies near Invermere [Wilmer and Shuswap Band land (Secwépemc Nation)]. The data is being analyzed by a student for her Master’s thesis, providing unprecedented information on Bank Swallow post-breeding habitat, their migration route, and wintering grounds.
Outreach was aimed towards conserving swallows and their habitats, attracting volunteers for swallow monitoring and directing habitat enhancements on private land. Strategies to co-exist with swallows were widely promoted and the UCSHEP communications strategy included posters, videos, website/social media content, press releases, interpretive signage, a swallow conservation brochure, hosted booths at farmer’s markets and gave presentations on the project. Additional education and outreach activities occurred, such as five volunteer field training sessions and two field trips.
This project most closely aligns with the Wetland and Riparian Action Plan, priority action 37. This is a habitat-based action working on enhancing wildlife habitat features (for swallows). Secondarily, the project most closely aligns with the Rivers and Riparian Action Plan, priority action 6. This is a habitat-based action working on the connectivity of habitat for both Bank and Barn Swallows. These two FWCP actions have the highest level of priority (number one) within the FWCP action plans.
Click the provincial database link below to read the full final report for this project.