Western House Martin: In winter
The Common House Martin is a long-distance migrant and does not remain in Sweden over the winter.
- Migration: it leaves the country in September and migrates to sub-Saharan Africa, where flying insects are plentiful even in winter.
- In Sweden: in winter the sky is empty of House Martins, and they are not seen until spring.
- Return: the birds come back in May and immediately begin repairing or building new mud nests.
Since the species lives exclusively on flying insects, it must follow the insect supply southwards when autumn comes.
More about the Western House Martin