Gallery 7 - Scottish Birds Back to all galleries               Next gallery Gallery Notes Birds, birds and more birds, I can't get enough of them. From the first Swallow in the spring to the cheeky Jackdaws in one of our chimneys, birds are always fascinating to watch. The amazing facts about Swallows migration The picture above of the line of Swallows on our roof, was taken in September and it is incredible to think that shortly after that they would be flying to South Africa where they will stay for the winter. They travel through western France, across the Pyrenees, down eastern Spain into Morocco, and across the Sahara. Some birds follow the west coast of Africa avoiding the Sahara, and other European swallows travel further east and down the Nile Valley. Swallows put on little weight before migrating. They migrate by day at low altitudes and find food on the way. Despite accumulating some fat reserves before crossing large areas such as the Sahara Desert, they are vulnerable to starvation during these crossings. Migration is a hazardous time and many birds die from starvation, exhaustion and in storms. Migrating swallows cover 200 miles a day, mainly during daylight, at speeds of 17-22 miles per hour. The maximum flight speed is 35 mph. In their wintering areas swallows feed in small flocks, which join together to form roosting flocks of thousands of birds. Swallows arrive in the UK in April and May, returning to their wintering grounds in September and October. Prices and Further Information