When do swallows leave Virginia?

Most Chimney Swifts have left Virginia 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 Virginia?

The Chimney Swift is reported most often in late May, on about 25% of Virginia checklists.

Which swallows are in Virginia?

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

5 swallow species in Virginia

When Do Swallows Arrive in Virginia?

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 Virginia. Chimney Swifts reach Virginia in the second week of April, are common by mid April, peak in late May (25% of checklists), and most are gone by early October.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 8-14the second week of April

Common byApr 15-21mid April

PeakMay 22-31late May

Most gone byOct 1-7early October

Best: late May. First arrivals the second week of April; most are gone by early October. Peak: on about 25% of Virginia checklists.

Jannot usually seen
Febnot usually seen
Marnot usually seen
Aprcommon
Maypeak season
Junpeak season
Julpeak season
Augcommon
Sepcommon
Octcommon
Novnot usually seen
Decnot usually seen

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

Swallows in Virginia, species by species

Species	First arrivals	Common by	Peak	Most gone by	Peak %
Chimney Swift	Apr 8-14	Apr 15-21	May 22-31	Oct 1-7	25%
Barn Swallow	Apr 1-7	Apr 15-21	Jul 22-31	Aug 15-21	24%
Tree Swallow	Feb 22-28	Mar 8-14	Apr 22-30	Oct 15-21	23%
Purple Martin	Mar 22-31	Apr 8-14	Jul 15-21	Aug 15-21	11%
Cliff Swallow	Apr 8-14	Apr 8-14	Jun 1-7	Aug 8-14	1.4%

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 Virginia 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 Virginia

Best counties for Chimney Swift

Share of checklists at the peak

Martinsville CountyBest the second week of July · 18 checklists that week, 1,842 in all78%
Lexington CountyBest early July · 12 checklists that week, 698 in all73%
Franklin CityBest early July · 10 checklists that week, 494 in all66%
Roanoke CityBest early July · 182 checklists that week, 11,531 in all65%
Winchester CountyBest late May · 145 checklists that week, 4,815 in all60%
Charlottesville CountyBest mid July · 150 checklists that week, 14,390 in all59%

All swallows in Virginia

5 species are reported regularly: 5 are summer visitors.

#	Species	Pattern	First arrivals	Peak	Peak %
1	Barn Swallow	Summer visitor	Apr 1-7	Jul 22-31	24%
2	Tree Swallow	Summer visitor	Feb 22-28	Apr 22-30	23%
3	Purple Martin	Summer visitor	Mar 22-31	Jul 15-21	11%
4	Northern Rough-winged Swallow	Summer visitor	Mar 15-21	Apr 22-30	10%
5	Cliff Swallow	Summer visitor	Apr 8-14	Jun 1-7	1.4%

Common questions

When do swallows arrive in Virginia?: Chimney Swifts reach Virginia in the second week of April, are common by mid April, peak in late May (25% of checklists), and most are gone by early October.
When do swallows leave Virginia?: Most Chimney Swifts have left Virginia 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 Virginia?: The Chimney Swift is reported most often in late May, on about 25% of Virginia checklists.
Which swallows are in Virginia?: Chimney Swift, Barn Swallow, Tree Swallow, Purple Martin, and Cliff Swallow are reported regularly; the Chimney Swift is the most common.