When do tree swallows arrive in British Columbia?
The Tree Swallow is a summer breeder in British Columbia — here is when to expect it, when it leaves, and how to be ready.
Tree Swallow timing in British Columbia
- Arrives
- Around May
- Leaves
- By July
- Status here
- Summer breeder
- Nesting season
- June
- Present roughly
- May–July
In British Columbia, tree swallows are present through the warm months, arriving around May and heading south again by July.
These windows are set by latitude: British Columbia sits in the middle part of this species' range, so timing here runs later than the continental average — the season starts later this far north and the birds wait for it. In any given year, weather can move the first arrivals by a week or two either way.
Month by month in this state
Highlighted months are when tree swallows are expected in British Columbia. The edges of the window are the interesting weeks — first arrivals and last departures vary most from year to year.
Getting ready before they arrive
The week before May is the time to act. Have feeders cleaned, filled and out by early May — the first tree swallows into British Columbia are scouting for reliable food, and a station that's ready early gets added to their route.
Tree swallows nest in cavities, so boxes need to be up and cleaned before arrival — a box mounted after they've claimed territories will usually sit empty until next year. Tree Swallow nest box dimensions and mounting →
Once nesting begins around June, adults switch to protein-rich food for their young and visits to feeders become quick and purposeful. Expect the busiest activity at dawn.
What tree swallows eat while they're here
- Flies, mayflies and dragonflies
Tree swallows readily take bluebird-style nest boxes; mount boxes in pairs 15–25 ft apart to share with bluebirds.
Full Tree Swallow diet guide → · Best feeder for tree swallows →
Native plants that hold tree swallows in British Columbia
Food keeps a migrant for a day; habitat keeps it for the season. These British Columbia-native plants are known to attract tree swallows:
Catkin seed feeds redpolls and siskins all winter.
Dark summer fruit and heavy caterpillar load.
Seeds and bark insects; pygmy nuthatch and woodpecker habitat.
Late-season bloom supports insects; seed for sparrows.
Acorns and a rich insect community in the Pacific Northwest.
Seed for crossbills, siskins and chickadees.
Cone crops drive winter irruptions of finches and crossbills.
Deciduous conifer with small cones for siskins and redpolls.
Keep exploring
Frequently asked
When do tree swallows arrive in British Columbia?
tree swallows typically arrive in British Columbia around May, with nesting underway by June. Timing can shift a week or two with the weather in any given year.
When do tree swallows leave British Columbia?
Most tree swallows have left British Columbia by July. They spend the winter farther south and return the following spring.
Do tree swallows stay in British Columbia all year?
No — in British Columbia the Tree Swallow is a summer breeder, present roughly May–July. Outside that window it is rarely seen in the state.
What should I put out before tree swallows arrive in British Columbia?
Have feeders up and clean by early May — first arrivals scout reliable food sources. Good offerings for this species: flies, mayflies and dragonflies.
Sources
- Tree Swallow — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Tree Swallow life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Tree Swallow — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
- eBird region overview and bar charts — British Columbia
- Plant Hardiness Zones of Canada — Natural Resources Canada
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.