Every year, with the arrival of spring, swallows return to Portugal to nest, often on balconies, eaves or roofs of houses. Destroying swallow nests in national territory can be costly: Portuguese legislation prohibits this practice and provides for fines that can exceed 3,000 euros, according to the magazine.
In Portugal, any intervention on nests can only be carried out outside the breeding season, which occurs between February and June, and with prior authorization from the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests.
Anyone who fails to respect these rules incurs an environmental infraction. According to Decree-Law No. 49/2005, fines are between 250 and 3,740 euros in the case of individuals, and between 3,990 and 44,890 euros in the case of a collective entity.
The swallows
Despite sometimes causing some mess, these birds play an essential role in controlling flying insects, such as flies and mosquitoes, according to the same source. The Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA) highlights that a single swallow chick can ingest around 1,500 insects per day. Over the course of 20 days, a family of these birds can eliminate more than 200,000 insects.
These migratory birds spend the winter in Africa and return to Portugal in the spring to breed. During the nesting phase, the same couple can make two or more litters in that interval.
Where do they nest and what can be done
The nests, built with mud, vegetation and saliva, often appear in human structures such as the eaves of houses, bridges, tunnels or dams. Complete colonies are often visible, as swallows prefer to nest in groups, as Agricultura e Mar magazine points out.
If the main concern is dirt under the nests, SPEA recommends installing a small gutter or protection under the structure in order to collect waste without interfering with nesting.
If you witness a situation of illegal nest destruction or have questions about what you can or cannot do, you should immediately contact the SOS Ambiente line (808 200 520), available for complaints or clarifications.
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