When do swallows leave North Carolina?

Most Chimney Swifts have left North Carolina by early October, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until mid October.

When is the best time to see swallows in North Carolina?

The Chimney Swift is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 23% of North Carolina checklists.

Which swallows are in North Carolina?

Chimney Swift, Barn Swallow, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, and Cliff Swallow are reported regularly; the Chimney Swift is the most common.

5 swallow species in North Carolina

When Do Swallows Arrive in North Carolina?

Photo: Ali Campbell, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Chimney Swifts, Barn Swallows, and Purple Martins are the swallows you are most likely to see in North Carolina. Chimney Swifts reach North Carolina in early April, are common by mid April, peak in the second week of May (23% of checklists), and most are gone by early October.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 1-7early April

Common byApr 15-21mid April

PeakMay 8-14the second week of May

Most gone byOct 1-7early October

Best: the second week of May. First arrivals early April; most are gone by early October. Peak: on about 23% of North Carolina checklists.

Jannot usually seen
Febnot usually seen
Marnot usually seen
Aprpeak season
Maypeak season
Junpeak season
Julcommon
Augcommon
Sepcommon
Octcommon
Novnot usually seen
Decnot usually seen

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

Swallows in North Carolina, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
Chimney Swift	Apr 1-7	Apr 15-21	May 8-14	Oct 1-7	23%
Barn Swallow	Mar 15-21	Apr 8-14	May 8-14	Aug 15-21	20%
Purple Martin	Mar 8-14	Apr 1-7	Jul 1-7	Aug 8-14	12%
Tree Swallow	Feb 15-21	Mar 1-7	Apr 22-30	Jul 15-21	12%
Cliff Swallow	Apr 1-7	Apr 8-14	May 8-14	Aug 1-7	2.8%

Chimney Swift
Barn Swallow
Purple Martin
Tree 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina

Best counties for Chimney Swift

Share of checklists at the peak

Hertford CountyBest early May · 24 checklists that week, 1,343 in all73%
Gates CountyBest mid July · 53 checklists that week, 4,066 in all61%
Bladen CountyBest early August · 46 checklists that week, 3,758 in all56%
Cleveland CountyBest mid May · 110 checklists that week, 6,121 in all52%
Bertie CountyBest early May · 49 checklists that week, 1,408 in all51%
Surry CountyBest late September · 129 checklists that week, 4,610 in all44%

All swallows in North Carolina

5 species are reported regularly: 5 are summer visitors.

#	Species	Pattern	First arrivals	Peak	Peak %
1	Barn Swallow	Summer visitor	Mar 15-21	May 8-14	20%
2	Northern Rough-winged Swallow	Summer visitor	Mar 8-14	Apr 22-30	14%
3	Purple Martin	Summer visitor	Mar 8-14	Jul 1-7	12%
4	Tree Swallow	Summer visitor	Feb 15-21	Apr 22-30	12%
5	Cliff Swallow	Summer visitor	Apr 1-7	May 8-14	2.8%

Common questions

When do swallows arrive in North Carolina?: Chimney Swifts reach North Carolina in early April, are common by mid April, peak in the second week of May (23% of checklists), and most are gone by early October.
When do swallows leave North Carolina?: Most Chimney Swifts have left North Carolina by early October, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until mid October.
When is the best time to see swallows in North Carolina?: The Chimney Swift is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 23% of North Carolina checklists.
Which swallows are in North Carolina?: Chimney Swift, Barn Swallow, Purple Martin, Tree Swallow, and Cliff Swallow are reported regularly; the Chimney Swift is the most common.