Schwalben Fallen Vom Himmel: The Impact of Starkregen On BirdLife

Schwalben Fallen Vom Himmel Due To Starkregen

This week, 120 exhausted and sometimes half-dead swallows were brought to Ferdinand Baer, head of the wildlife rescue station in Regenstauf. Baer and his team from the LBV conservation association are struggling to revive the birds, warming them, drying them, and providing food and liquid. Unfortunately, many have still perished.

Extreme Weather's Impact on Swallows

The starkregen over the weekend and early week severely affected these small migratory birds. Angelika Nelson, an ornithologist with LBV, reported receiving numerous images of dead swallows found on the ground. Others showed swallows huddling hungrily on window ledges or hanging under eaves, leading LBV chairman Norbert Schäffer to declare, “The situation is dramatic.”

The Severe Effects of Weather on Migration

• Many birds caught in the storm likely originated from Northeastern Europe, particularly Poland and Finland.
• These birds had already traveled hundreds of kilometers, rendering them weak.
• During this kind of harsh weather, swallows, unlike other bird species, cannot seek shelter or food.

Despite their ability to withstand some bad weather, this storm was too extensive and swift for the swallows to navigate. In Germany, the majority of the dead birds were Mehlschwalben (house martins), while only five were Rauchschwalben (barn swallows).

Challenges Facing Bird Populations

While the full impact on swallow populations from this event remains uncertain, Baer noted that birds typically manage such losses, but this instance was extreme. The situation is worsened by ongoing pressures like the decline in insect populations and diminishing nesting opportunities due to fewer suitable buildings.

A Complicated Rescue Effort

Currently, a migration bottleneck has occurred, with birds that should already be migrating to Africa remaining in Germany. Some are still too exhausted to continue. Discussions are ongoing regarding the methods to aid these birds, including the possibility of flying them south in a plane, reminiscent of events in 1974.