Cliff swallow conservation project

The Cliff Swallow nests on houses and builds its gourd-shaped nest by piling up hundreds of clay pellets that require it to make up to 1800 round trips. In order to save its energy, it therefore chooses to nest as close as possible to the place where it takes its mud.

When you are near one or more of these nests, swallows may fly over you closely. Rest assured, they will never attack you. All they want is to defend their young and keep you away from the nest.

In Quebec, the Cliff Swallow saw its population decline by 82 % between 1970 and 2015. Let’s help it by accepting its presence. When you are lucky enough to come across a “natural insecticide” capable of catching 8,000 mosquitoes in flight every day, you must do everything to preserve it.

Interesting facts!

In May 2024, a pair of swallows built their nest on a ledge of the lighthouse keeper's house. After the nest fell, employees marked out a temporary protection zone near the spot where two swallows were seen, thus preventing visitors from disturbing the birds. Ornithologists from the Club d'ornithologie du Bas-Saint-Laurent observed the parents feeding their young on the ground.

This year, no nests have yet been built in the gable. However, European starlings, a species not indigenous to America, have taken up residence in the cannon near the shed. Fortunately for the brood, this instrument is no longer in use!

This monitoring project is being carried out in collaboration with the Club des ornithologues du Bas-Saint-Laurent.

More information on the Cliff Swallow colony conservation project in Pointe-au-Père (French)