HOW TO IDENTIFY SWIFTS, SWALLOWS AND MARTINS

SWALLOW

The long, forked tail with trailing streamers is a telling feature. They often fly at ankle level, skimming fields for insects where their red throats can also be clearly seen.

SAND MARTIN

Smaller in size than both swallows or house martins and uniformly sand-brown on top. Sand martins are more likely to be spotted near riverbanks, quarries and cliffs.

HOUSE MARTIN

Often confused with swallows but the key difference is the absence of a long tail. Look for a stubby bullet-shaped body and white underside.

SWIFT

Unmistakable, with their pick-axe profile slicing through the sky. While swifts can swoop low (listen for their “chuck-chuck” call), they tend to fly higher in the sky where you can pick out their silhouettes.