Sand Martin: In winter

The Sand Martin is a long-distance migrant and does not spend the winter in Sweden.

• Migration: it leaves the country as early as August and travels to West Africa, above all the Sahel zone south of the Sahara.
• In Sweden: in winter there are no Sand Martins here, and it is among the swallows and martins that depart earliest in autumn.
• Return: the birds arrive in May and quickly gather at the old sandbanks to begin breeding.

Drought in the African winter quarters is one of several factors contributing to the species' decline in Sweden.

More about the Sand Martin

• Song & calls
• Breeding
• Nest & eggs
• Diet