The connection between livestock and swallows

Recent research reveals the unintended consequence of having less livestock in our countryside; a reduction in flies resulting in fewer Swallows.

There was an interesting piece of research reported in Farming Today yesterday, 10 January 2023, carried out by Dr Alfie Gathorne-Hardy of the University of Edinburgh. He estimates that a single (Galloway) cow produces dung that in turn feeds/ attracts insects enough to feed 20 Swallows. Connecting the dots, based on the reduction in cattle and reduction in aerial birds in East Anglia, he suggests that having no livestock in our countryside will have the unintended consequence of reducing the Swallow population.

Here’s a link to the podcast, it’s about halfway through the episode: