Tiny birds create an annual stir
Join the Lake Victoria Conservancy for the Return of the Swallows this Sunday.
KWAZULU-NATAL is internationally famous for its beautiful beaches and diverse culture. Many tourists, however, are unaware of another breath-taking attraction – the annual Barn Swallow Migration.
During their summer migration the tiny little birds, weighing no more than 22 grams, embark on an epic journey, travelling more than 12 000 kilometers from Europe to South Africa to roost. The passage lasts four to 12 weeks.
One of the largest roosting sites in South Africa is the wetlands at Lake Victoria at Mount Moreland. The wetlands are covered in Phragmites Australis reeds, which create the perfect hunting and playground for these majestic little birds.
Every evening from mid October to mid April, millions of the swallows gather for about half an hour before sunset and fly in vast numbers over the wetlands, hunting the for insects. As dusk falls, the swallows drop down in the reeds and are only seen again at dusk the next day. This short spectacle is what draws hundreds of visitors to the site every year.-
According to Angie Wilken, the founder and chairperson of the Mount Moreland Conservancy, the best times to view the mass display of the swallows are from November to mid-December. “It is a phenomenal experience. You will only understand the attraction once you have witnessed it with your own eyes. Every night is different and special. You don’t have to be a bird-fundi to enjoy the phenomenon,” she said.
In March their numbers will increase drastically, as they gather in preparation for the migration back to the north. They become very vocal during the next few weeks. During this time the birds can also be seen flying in spectacular flirtatious patterns. Once back in Europe the breeding season will commence.
Adding to the attraction if the fact that the birds have moulted and will be showing off their new coat of feathers. The males with the longest tails are believed to be the most desirable among the females. By mid-April the swallows will have disappeared from the wetlands.
The annual migration has been recognised since the 1970s. In the 1990s the Lake Victoria Conservancy began the annual event called ‘The Return of the Swallows’ and over the years the following and support has grown.
On Sunday, 9 November the conservancy invites residents to attend the official launch of this year’s swallow season at Mount Moreland at 5pm. Pack a picnic basket, take some chairs, binoculars and mosquito repellent and enjoy the show. Entrance costs R10. Eats and drinks will be on sale.
