Last November, BirdLife International raised concerns over the South African Government's plans to build an international airport near the Mount Moreland Reedbeds. The proposed development threatened millions of barn swallows (Hirundo rustica) who use the reedbeds as roosting habitat each winter, from early November through mid-April.

The proposed development placed the Mount Moreland Reedbeds directly in the path of one of the airport's runways. BirdLife International feared flocking birds would create safety hazards for aircraft and as a result the reedbeds would be removed.

Now, one year on, there is good news for the barn swallows and their reedbeds. A set of mitigation actions has been announced that will make the skies safer for birds and aircraft in the skies over the Mount Moreland Reedbeds. Among the mitigation actions is the installation of bird detection radar at the new airport which will enable air traffic controllers to inform pilots of swallow flocks in the area and divert air traffic when necessary.

The barn swallows breed throughout Europe and migrate thousands of miles to South Africa each fall where they roost in the Mount Moreland Reedbed. Each evening, the birds fly over the reedbed, swooping and flocking in large numbers as they pursue insects that fly above the reeds. After about an hour of feeding, the birds settle down into the reeds for the night.

Find out more:

• Three Million Barn Swallows Could Lose Roosting Site
• World Cup Airport Will Look Out for Swallows (BirdLife International)
• Mercy Shown to World Cup Swallows (RSPB)

Photo © RSPB Images / BirdLife International.