WhenToBird

5 swallow species in South Carolina

When Do Swallows Arrive in South Carolina?

Adult Chimney Swift
Photo: Ali Campbell, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Chimney Swifts, Barn Swallows, and Tree Swallows are the swallows you are most likely to see in South Carolina. Chimney Swifts reach South Carolina in late March, are common by the second week of April, peak in the second week of May (21% of checklists), and most are gone by early October.

When to look

First arrivalsMar 22-31late March
Common byApr 8-14the second week of April
PeakMay 8-14the second week of May
Most gone byOct 1-7early October

Best: the second week of May. First arrivals late March; most are gone by early October. Peak: on about 21% of South Carolina checklists.

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

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

Swallows in South Carolina, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Chimney SwiftMar 22-31Apr 8-14May 8-14Oct 1-721%
Barn SwallowMar 15-21Apr 8-14Jul 22-31Sep 1-719%
Tree SwallowSep 15-21Oct 1-7Oct 22-31May 8-1413%
Purple MartinMar 1-7Mar 15-21Jun 22-30Aug 8-1411%
Cliff SwallowApr 8-14Apr 8-14May 15-21Aug 1-72.1%
0%10%20%30%Chimney SwiftBarn SwallowTree SwallowPurple MartinJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Chimney Swift
  • Barn Swallow
  • 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 South 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 South Carolina

Best counties for Chimney Swift

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Darlington CountyBest early May · 102 checklists that week, 2,791 in all53%
  2. Kershaw CountyBest late May · 222 checklists that week, 10,450 in all41%
  3. Marion CountyBest mid June · 16 checklists that week, 327 in all39%
  4. Abbeville CountyBest late May · 182 checklists that week, 5,599 in all38%
  5. Greenwood CountyBest early May · 82 checklists that week, 3,752 in all38%
  6. Williamsburg CountyBest mid May · 41 checklists that week, 1,512 in all34%

All swallows in South Carolina

5 species are reported regularly: 4 are summer visitors and 1 are winter visitors.

#SpeciesPatternThrough the yearFirst arrivalsPeakPeak %
1Barn SwallowSummer visitorMar 15-21Jul 22-3119%
2Tree SwallowWinter visitorSep 15-21Oct 22-3113%
3Purple MartinSummer visitorMar 1-7Jun 22-3011%
4Northern Rough-winged SwallowSummer visitorMar 8-14Apr 22-309.3%
5Cliff SwallowSummer visitorApr 8-14May 15-212.1%

Common questions

When do swallows arrive in South Carolina?
Chimney Swifts reach South Carolina in late March, are common by the second week of April, peak in the second week of May (21% of checklists), and most are gone by early October.
When do swallows leave South Carolina?
Most Chimney Swifts have left South 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 South Carolina?
The Chimney Swift is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 21% of South Carolina checklists.
Which swallows are in South Carolina?
Chimney Swift, Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow, Purple Martin, and Cliff Swallow are reported regularly; the Chimney Swift is the most common.