American Cliff Swallow influx gains momentum

Europe is set to experience an unprecedented arrival of American Cliff Swallows following a major displacement in north-east North America during the second half of August.

In Newfoundland, what has been described as an "exceptional" influx of the species took place from 20 August. Thought to be the largest-ever such arrival in the Canadian region, many hundreds of birds are believed to have arrived, with numerous groups of between five and 20 birds noted as well as a couple of larger, three-figure flocks also seen. It is presumed that a spell of strong south-westerly winds from the Mid-Atlantic United States into Canada caused the displacement.

American Cliff Swallows have been appearing in Newfoundland in exceptional numbers, with the displacement now reaching Europe (Alexander Viduetsky).

The first European report came from Terceira, Azores, on 22nd, when two birds were seen at the famous Cabo da Praia quarry.

Evidence that further records were likely to follow came when a boat sailing in the Davis Strait south of Greenland on 25th encountered a small flock over the ocean. At least eight birds were also seen in Greenland itself.

Subsequently, no fewer than 21 American Cliff Swallows have been found in Iceland, with most appearing in the south-west of the country between 29th and 31st. These have included an extraordinary flock of seven at Keflavík on 31st and three close by at Njarðvík the same day. Meanwhile, four birds were found resting on a ship which sailed out of Reykjavík on 28th (this vessel was bound for Belfast, where it is due to arrive on 5 September).

For context, Iceland has only three previous records of American Cliff Swallow totalling five birds, the most recent concerning two birds in late August 2019. 

Given the scale of the displacement, British and Irish records seem very likely this autumn. The most recent of the 14 previous British sightings concerned a bird on Skye, Highland, on 27 August 2019 (read a finder's account of that bird here). Extraordinarily, Ireland has had only a single accepted record from November 1995 – the next few weeks may well see others added to that.