Date: 6/7/25 6:26 am From: Josh <opihi...> Subject: [MASSBIRD] Cliff Swallow colony endangered in Rowe
> On Jun 7, 2025, at 6:17 AM, <blafley...> wrote: > > Thought this might be of interest. > > Bill Lafley > New Salem > <blafley...> > > > Follow the link below to view the article. > > Removal pending for rare bird colony > https://greenfieldrecorder-ma.newsmemory.com/?publink=04b6310ce_134fa13
Hey all,
Another link to what I think is the same story, since the above link didn’t work for me the first time that I clicked on it:
And here’s data from the MA Breeding Bird Atlas showing that our state lost more than half of its Cliff Swallow breeding sites between the first Atlas in 1974-1979, and the second one in 2007-2011:
Swallow researcher Mara Silver has asked that people contact the Rowe town government to ask that they not destroy the Cliff Swallow colony on their town hall. Here is an excerpt from the latest Athol Bird & Nature Club email update about the how and why:
> Cliff Swallow colony in Rowe, MA: For Immediate action > > Please send an email voicing your concern for the Cliff Swallows of Rowe, MA. Talking points are listed below. Please use the points but create your own message. Let’s try to save one of the last few Cliff Swallow colonies in the state.
> Send the email to the following (send in to all recipients in one email):
> A significant and rare colony of Cliff Swallows nests on the Rowe town hall in Rowe, MA, where artificial clay nests are installed to prevent nests from falling, a common occurrence with the prevalence of painted barns today. The Rowe selectboard does not want the Cliff Swallows nesting on the town hall after 2025, and they are going to put structures under the eaves next year to prevent the birds from nesting there. A small group of birders has tried everything in our power to convince them not to do so and even tried to compromise. This year we didn't put any ceramic nests over the windows, and every year we take the ceramic nests down and clean them and put them up in spring on freshly painted boards so they look nice. We have explained that the swallows and their minimal droppings (which we hose down) outside the building are absolutely not a health threat. We have also conveyed that Cliff Swallows are a very rare species in MA; there are approximately 8 known colonie! s in the state. The selectboard has requested that we "move" the colony to a nearby barn by putting the ceramic nests on that barn. We put 3 up on this barn and no pairs are using them. Mara Silver, who has worked on swallow conservation projects for 35 years, has explained that you can't just "move" them. The town hall is their preferred nesting site. They are so successful there that last year they arrived in late April and were done nesting and absent from the Town Hall by July 3--that is less than 10 weeks! Cliff Swallows are not a listed species in MA, but they are a Species of Greatest Conservation Need MassWildlife's State Wildlife Action Plan, and they are listed as Threatened just north of us in New Hampshire. The Rowe colony, with over ~30 pairs, is the second largest colony in the state and thus hosts a significant portion of the swallows nesting in the state. The MA state ornithologist has written a snail mail letter and email to the town to no avail. Many local! residents and birdwatchers are against the elimination of thi! s colony.
