WhenToBird

5 swallow species in Vermont

When Do Swallows Arrive in Vermont?

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 Vermont. Tree Swallows reach Vermont in late March, are common by the second week of April, peak in the second week of May (27% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of July.

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 byJul 8-14the second week of July

Best: the second week of May. First arrivals late March; most are gone by the second week of July. Peak: on about 27% of Vermont checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Marrare
  4. Aprpeak season
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julcommon
  8. Auguncommon
  9. Seprare
  10. Octnot usually seen
  11. Novnot usually seen
  12. Decnot usually seen

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

Swallows in Vermont, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Tree SwallowMar 22-31Apr 8-14May 8-14Jul 8-1427%
Barn SwallowApr 8-14Apr 22-30May 15-21Aug 22-3114%
Chimney SwiftApr 22-30May 8-14Jun 8-14Aug 8-147.9%
Bank SwallowApr 22-30Apr 22-30May 15-21Sep 1-71.6%
Cliff SwallowApr 22-30Apr 22-30May 8-14Aug 8-141.3%
0%10%20%30%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 Vermont 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 Vermont

Best counties for Tree Swallow

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Essex CountyBest the second week of May · 244 checklists that week, 9,416 in all41%
  2. Grand Isle CountyBest mid May · 211 checklists that week, 8,507 in all40%
  3. Franklin CountyBest late May · 1397 checklists that week, 25,284 in all39%
  4. Windham CountyBest early May · 1903 checklists that week, 39,105 in all38%
  5. Orleans CountyBest the second week of May · 385 checklists that week, 11,785 in all33%
  6. Addison CountyBest the second week of May · 2394 checklists that week, 77,064 in all31%

All swallows in Vermont

5 species are reported regularly: 5 are summer visitors.

#SpeciesPatternThrough the yearFirst arrivalsPeakPeak %
1Tree SwallowSummer visitorMar 22-31May 8-1427%
2Barn SwallowSummer visitorApr 8-14May 15-2114%
3Northern Rough-winged SwallowSummer visitorApr 8-14May 1-74.0%
4Bank SwallowSummer visitorApr 22-30May 15-211.6%
5Cliff SwallowSummer visitorApr 22-30May 8-141.3%

Common questions

When do swallows arrive in Vermont?
Tree Swallows reach Vermont in late March, are common by the second week of April, peak in the second week of May (27% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of July.
When do swallows leave Vermont?
Most Tree Swallows have left Vermont by the second week of July, 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 Vermont?
The Tree Swallow is reported most often in the second week of May, on about 27% of Vermont checklists.
Which swallows are in Vermont?
Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Chimney Swift, Bank Swallow, and Cliff Swallow are reported regularly; the Tree Swallow is the most common.