WhenToBird

5 swallow species in Massachusetts

When Do Swallows Arrive in Massachusetts?

Adult Tree Swallow
Photo: Carter Dorscht, CC0 1.0 via iNaturalist

Tree Swallows, Barn Swallows, and Chimney Swifts are the swallows you are most likely to see in Massachusetts. Tree Swallows reach Massachusetts in mid March, are common by early April, peak in the second week of May (32% of checklists), and most are gone by early September.

When to look

First arrivalsMar 15-21mid March
Common byApr 1-7early April
PeakMay 8-14the second week of May
Most gone bySep 1-7early September

Best: the second week of May. First arrivals mid March; most are gone by early September. Peak: on about 32% of Massachusetts checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Maruncommon
  4. Aprpeak season
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julpeak season
  8. Augcommon
  9. Sepcommon
  10. Octuncommon
  11. Novrare
  12. Decnot usually seen

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

Swallows in Massachusetts, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Tree SwallowMar 15-21Apr 1-7May 8-14Sep 1-732%
Barn SwallowApr 8-14Apr 22-30Aug 1-7Aug 22-3128%
Chimney SwiftApr 22-30May 1-7Jun 1-7Aug 22-3126%
Bank SwallowMay 1-7May 1-7Jul 15-21Aug 22-314.1%
Purple MartinApr 15-21Apr 22-30Jul 22-31Aug 8-143.8%
0%10%20%30%40%Tree SwallowBarn SwallowChimney SwiftBank SwallowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Tree Swallow
  • Barn Swallow
  • Chimney Swift
  • Bank Swallow
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 Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts

Best counties for Tree Swallow

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Essex CountyBest the second week of August · 2880 checklists that week, 213,973 in all47%
  2. Plymouth CountyBest the second week of June · 1501 checklists that week, 89,282 in all39%
  3. Hampshire CountyBest mid May · 5225 checklists that week, 162,423 in all39%
  4. Hampden CountyBest early May · 1213 checklists that week, 35,410 in all39%
  5. Worcester CountyBest early May · 4719 checklists that week, 128,594 in all37%
  6. Berkshire CountyBest the second week of May · 3901 checklists that week, 92,890 in all36%

All swallows in Massachusetts

5 species are reported regularly: 5 are summer visitors.

#SpeciesPatternThrough the yearFirst arrivalsPeakPeak %
1Tree SwallowSummer visitorMar 15-21May 8-1432%
2Barn SwallowSummer visitorApr 8-14Aug 1-728%
3Northern Rough-winged SwallowSummer visitorApr 1-7May 1-77.1%
4Bank SwallowSummer visitorMay 1-7Jul 15-214.1%
5Purple MartinSummer visitorApr 15-21Jul 22-313.8%

Common questions

When do swallows arrive in Massachusetts?
Tree Swallows reach Massachusetts in mid March, are common by early April, peak in the second week of May (32% of checklists), and most are gone by early September.
When do swallows leave Massachusetts?
Most Tree Swallows have left Massachusetts by early September, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until late October.
When is the best time to see swallows in Massachusetts?
The Tree Swallow is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 32% of Massachusetts checklists.
Which swallows are in Massachusetts?
Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Chimney Swift, Bank Swallow, and Purple Martin are reported regularly; the Tree Swallow is the most common.