Number of returning swallows in decline

The iconic Irish swallow is on the decline due to the widening of the Sahara, soaking Irish summers, and human hunters, according to a leading bird expert.

On top of dodging nature’s predators during their epic 9,500km journey from Africa every spring, swallows have to run the gauntlet of gunmen shooting them for sport as they cross Cyprus and Malta on the migratory flyways of the Mediterranean.

Niall Hatch of Birdwatch Ireland said fewer swallows are returning to Ireland to nest each spring after their journey from wintering grounds in Johannesburg.