WhenToBird

6 swallow species in Maryland

When Do Swallows Arrive in Maryland?

Adult Barn Swallow
Photo: Diego González Dopico, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Barn Swallows, Chimney Swifts, and Tree Swallows are the swallows you are most likely to see in Maryland. Barn Swallows reach Maryland in early April, are common by mid April, peak in early August (31% of checklists), and most are gone by late August.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 1-7early April
Common byApr 15-21mid April
PeakAug 1-7early August
Most gone byAug 22-31late August

Best: early August. First arrivals early April; most are gone by late August. Peak: on about 31% of Maryland checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Marrare
  4. Aprcommon
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julpeak season
  8. Augpeak season
  9. Sepuncommon
  10. Octnot usually seen
  11. Novnot usually seen
  12. Decnot usually seen

Darker months: more checklists report it. Outlined: peak month.

Swallows in Maryland, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Barn SwallowApr 1-7Apr 15-21Aug 1-7Aug 22-3131%
Chimney SwiftApr 8-14Apr 22-30May 22-31Oct 1-727%
Tree SwallowFeb 22-28Mar 15-21Apr 22-30Aug 15-2125%
Purple MartinMar 22-31Apr 15-21Jul 22-31Aug 22-3115%
Bank SwallowJun 22-30Jun 22-30Aug 8-14Sep 1-72.5%
Cliff SwallowApr 15-21Apr 15-21May 15-21Aug 15-211.6%
0%10%20%30%40%Barn SwallowChimney SwiftTree SwallowPurple MartinJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Barn Swallow
  • Chimney Swift
  • Tree Swallow
  • Purple Martin
Share of complete checklists reporting each species, by week (4 per month). Gaps: fewer than 10 checklists that week.

Frequency is the share of complete checklists in Maryland that listed the bird, 2016–2025. It is not a head count, and it follows where and when people go birding. How to read it.

Where in Maryland

Best counties for Barn Swallow

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Queen Anne's CountyBest early August · 590 checklists that week, 26,875 in all57%
  2. Somerset CountyBest late July · 196 checklists that week, 9,451 in all52%
  3. Kent CountyBest the second week of August · 185 checklists that week, 13,396 in all51%
  4. Harford CountyBest early August · 447 checklists that week, 39,311 in all46%
  5. Talbot CountyBest late July · 630 checklists that week, 31,140 in all46%
  6. Dorchester CountyBest the second week of August · 247 checklists that week, 26,161 in all45%

All swallows in Maryland

6 species are reported regularly: 6 are summer visitors.

#SpeciesPatternThrough the yearFirst arrivalsPeakPeak %
1Barn SwallowSummer visitorApr 1-7Aug 1-731%
2Tree SwallowSummer visitorFeb 22-28Apr 22-3025%
3Purple MartinSummer visitorMar 22-31Jul 22-3115%
4Northern Rough-winged SwallowSummer visitorMar 15-21Apr 22-3012%
5Bank SwallowSummer visitorJun 22-30Aug 8-142.5%
6Cliff SwallowSummer visitorApr 15-21May 15-211.6%

Common questions

When do swallows arrive in Maryland?
Barn Swallows reach Maryland in early April, are common by mid April, peak in early August (31% of checklists), and most are gone by late August.
When do swallows leave Maryland?
Most Barn Swallows have left Maryland by late August, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until the second week of September.
When is the best time to see swallows in Maryland?
The Barn Swallow is reported most often in early August, on about 31% of Maryland checklists.
Which swallows are in Maryland?
Barn Swallow, Chimney Swift, Tree Swallow, Purple Martin, Bank Swallow, and Cliff Swallow are reported regularly; the Barn Swallow is the most common.