WhenToBird

6 swallow species in Ohio

When Do Swallows Arrive in Ohio?

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 Ohio. Tree Swallows reach Ohio in the second week of March, are common by late March, peak in the second week of May (44% of checklists), and most are gone by late July.

When to look

First arrivalsMar 8-14the second week of March
Common byMar 22-31late March
PeakMay 8-14the second week of May
Most gone byJul 22-31late July

Best: the second week of May. First arrivals the second week of March; most are gone by late July. Peak: on about 44% of Ohio checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Marcommon
  4. Aprpeak season
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Juncommon
  7. Julcommon
  8. Auguncommon
  9. Sepuncommon
  10. Octrare
  11. Novnot usually seen
  12. Decnot usually seen

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

Swallows in Ohio, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Tree SwallowMar 8-14Mar 22-31May 8-14Jul 22-3144%
Barn SwallowApr 1-7Apr 22-30Aug 1-7Sep 1-738%
Chimney SwiftApr 15-21Apr 22-30Jun 1-7Oct 1-725%
Purple MartinMar 22-31Apr 15-21Jul 22-31Aug 22-3118%
Cliff SwallowApr 15-21Apr 22-30Jul 8-14Aug 15-215.2%
Bank SwallowApr 15-21Apr 22-30Aug 1-7Sep 1-75.1%
0%20%40%60%Tree SwallowBarn SwallowChimney SwiftPurple MartinJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Tree Swallow
  • Barn Swallow
  • Chimney Swift
  • 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 Ohio 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 Ohio

Best counties for Tree Swallow

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Erie CountyBest early May · 1800 checklists that week, 30,456 in all66%
  2. Mercer CountyBest early May · 54 checklists that week, 2,091 in all64%
  3. Lucas CountyBest the second week of May · 35255 checklists that week, 152,906 in all63%
  4. Ottawa CountyBest late April · 2078 checklists that week, 51,024 in all63%
  5. Union CountyBest early June · 302 checklists that week, 12,023 in all61%
  6. Wyandot CountyBest early July · 56 checklists that week, 6,235 in all59%

All swallows in Ohio

6 species are reported regularly: 6 are summer visitors.

#SpeciesPatternThrough the yearFirst arrivalsPeakPeak %
1Tree SwallowSummer visitorMar 8-14May 8-1444%
2Barn SwallowSummer visitorApr 1-7Aug 1-738%
3Purple MartinSummer visitorMar 22-31Jul 22-3118%
4Northern Rough-winged SwallowSummer visitorMar 22-31Apr 22-3015%
5Cliff SwallowSummer visitorApr 15-21Jul 8-145.2%
6Bank SwallowSummer visitorApr 15-21Aug 1-75.1%

Common questions

When do swallows arrive in Ohio?
Tree Swallows reach Ohio in the second week of March, are common by late March, peak in the second week of May (44% of checklists), and most are gone by late July.
When do swallows leave Ohio?
Most Tree Swallows have left Ohio by late July, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until mid October.
When is the best time to see swallows in Ohio?
The Tree Swallow is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 44% of Ohio checklists.
Which swallows are in Ohio?
Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Chimney Swift, Purple Martin, Cliff Swallow, and Bank Swallow are reported regularly; the Tree Swallow is the most common.