Nature Canada is currently leading a project focused on Barn Swallow conservation and stewardship in the Ottawa area.

Populations of Barn Swallows and other species of Swallows, Swifts and Nighthawks have steeply declined in Ontario and across Canada in the last 40 years, by up to 95% from historic levels for species like the Chimney Swift. Barn Swallows are currently listed as Threatened under Ontario's 2007 Endangered Species Act. 

The causes for these steep declines are not quite clear, but key threats to these species include habitat loss and degradation; widespread use of pesticides and fertilizers in land management and intensive agriculture; impacts of climate change on the life cycles of the insects they consume; pollution; and, losses during seasonal migrations or on the wintering grounds in Central and South America.

By completing this short survey, you’ll be helping Nature Canada to better understand how Barn Swallows – formerly a very common species – are doing in the Ottawa region.

We are particularly interested in Barn Swallow feeding and nesting activity over the last 2 years within a 20 km buffer around the Lac Deschenes-Ottawa River Important Bird & Biodiversity Area (IBA), one of the region's significant natural sites.  This project is part of our local NatureHood program to connect people to nearby nature through celebration, greater awareness, stewardship and wildlife observation. Learn more about our NatureHood program here.

Please don’t hesitate to contact Alex MacDonald, Nature Canada’s Senior Conservation Manager for species at risk, with any questions or comments, by phone (613-562-3447 x. 300) or email.