Bank Swallow
Riparia riparia
The Bank Swallow was listed as “Threatened” under the Species at Risk Actin 2017. Along with other bird species that feed on flying insects, it has shown steep population declines, indeed a 98% decline in its population over 40 years, based on the annual Breeding Bird Survey. PEI remains the stronghold for Bank Swallows in the Maritimes, but nevertheless, many former PEI nesting sites are now unused. Newer studies have revealed that male bank swallows routinely use marshes as overnight roosting areas, flying many kilometers from colonies each evening.
Threats to Bank Swallows include coastal erosion. During storms, the many colonies in cliffs and the few in sand dunes can be erased by high wind and wave action. More frequent storms change and often ruin nesting sites from year to year. Increased use of shoreline armouring removes critical habitat. In addition, the main diet of insects is negatively affected by conversion of wetlands and meadows for development, agricultural pesticide use, and possibly by factors of climate change. The Island Nature Trust monitors PEI Bank Swallow colonies annually with the help of volunteers.