As the days get longer and the first signs of spring show up on the farm, we love to see the return of migratory birds. For those of us who spend time in the garden or out on the land, there’s something very special about the arrival of swallows, house martins, and swifts. But what makes their return so remarkable, and how can we help support them as they make their way back?

Swallows – From Africa to Our Skies

Swallows are probably the most iconic of all our migratory birds, and their return marks the real start of spring for many of us. Every year, swallows leave the UK in late summer and head to sub-Saharan Africa to escape our cold winter months. This journey is no small feat. They travel an incredible 6,000 miles across vast deserts and oceans before finally arriving at their wintering grounds.

Come March or early April, they head back to the UK, and they don’t just fly in a straight line – they navigate by instinct, using the position of the sun, stars, and the Earth’s magnetic fields to guide them. They can find their way back to the very same places they nested before, which is quite an impressive feat for a bird that spends the majority of its life on the wing!

At Lower Blakemere Farm, we’ve always made a conscious effort to support our local birdlife. Our mixed farming approach, which includes everything from seed crops to our pigs and hedgerows, creates a safe, welcoming environment for birds. We’ve even had the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) on the farm to complete their survey. They spotted 20 yellowhammers and 40 skylarks – just a glimpse of the diverse birdlife we support here. It’s the mix of habitat that makes our farm such a great spot for birds – and perhaps it’s the live mealworms we’re packing at Wiggly Wigglers that they’ve managed to nab when we weren’t looking!

House Martins – Seeking Shelter and Food

Like swallows, house martins also migrate between the UK and Africa, but they have slightly different nesting habits. House martins are smaller than swallows and have a preference for mud nests built under the eaves of buildings. They typically arrive in the UK between early and mid-April, slightly later than swallows.

These little birds travel up to 5,000 miles to return to the UK each year. And just like the swallows, their journey involves a lot of stamina, navigating changing weather patterns, and finding safe spots to rest during their travels. In the UK, house martins are particularly fond of nesting on buildings and are often found in more urban and rural environments alike.

Providing the right kind of nesting sites is crucial for these birds. And that’s where you can make a difference too. Adding a nest box to your garden, particularly one that mimics the kind of eaves they like, can really help make your space bird-friendly.

Here on the farm, we’ve got plenty of spots that cater to these birds – mostly under the eaves of the barns but they particularly love our farmhouse porch as well!

Swifts – The Masters of the Sky

Swifts are a bit different from swallows and house martins. While they too make the long journey back from Africa, these birds are built for the skies in a way that’s truly remarkable. Swifts spend nearly their entire lives in flight – they sleep on the wing, feed while flying, and even mate while airborne. Their long, narrow wings and scythe-like shape allow them to soar through the air for hours on end.

Arriving in late April to early May, swifts make the longest migration of the three species, flying an astonishing 8,000 miles each year. They prefer nesting in holes or crevices of tall buildings, often congregating in colonies. This is a species that needs our support, as they have very specific nesting requirements. Installing a swift nest box in your garden, or even offering space on your home, can make a huge difference for them.

How Can We Help?

Migratory birds like swallows, house martins, and swifts don’t just need somewhere to rest; they need food, shelter, and safe places to nest. By planting native shrubs, creating hedgerows, and offering nest boxes, we can make our gardens and farms a sanctuary for them.

Here at Lower Blakemere, we try to make our farm as bird-friendly as possible. The combination of livestock, ponds, hedgerows, wildflower meadows, and even the occasional stolen mealworm all work together to create a positive environment for our feathered friends.

Wiggly Tip: Create a Bird-Friendly Space

Want to help out our migratory friends when they arrive? Here are some simple things you can do:

• Install a nest box in a quiet, sheltered part of your garden. Make sure it’s high enough (about 1.5 to 2.5 metres off the ground) and facing north or east to protect it from strong winds and direct sunlight.
• Make a pond. A pond is a fantastic addition to your garden for a variety of reasons. Not only does it provide a water source for birds, but it also attracts insects that swallows and house martins love to feed on. For swifts, a pond is especially valuable, as they often hunt for insects over water. The pond creates a rich, natural environment, supporting the insects that these birds rely on and offering a safe space for them to forage. Plus, a pond encourages a healthy, thriving ecosystem in your garden, benefiting all kinds of wildlife.
• Plant native shrubs and trees to create shelter and provide a natural source of food for all the birds that call your garden home.