WhenToBird

6 swallow species in Washington

When Do Swallows Arrive in Washington?

Adult Barn Swallow
Photo: Diego González Dopico, CC BY 4.0 via iNaturalist

Barn Swallows, Violet-green Swallows, and Tree Swallows are the swallows you are most likely to see in Washington. Barn Swallows reach Washington in early April, are common by mid April, peak in the second week of August (30% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of September.

When to look

First arrivalsApr 1-7early April
Common byApr 15-21mid April
PeakAug 8-14the second week of August
Most gone bySep 8-14the second week of September

Best: the second week of August. First arrivals early April; most are gone by the second week of September. Peak: on about 30% of Washington checklists.

  1. Jannot usually seen
  2. Febnot usually seen
  3. Marnot usually seen
  4. Aprcommon
  5. Maypeak season
  6. Junpeak season
  7. Julpeak season
  8. Augpeak season
  9. Seppeak season
  10. Octrare
  11. Novnot usually seen
  12. Decnot usually seen

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

Swallows in Washington, species by species

SpeciesFirst arrivalsCommon byPeakMost gone byPeak %
Barn SwallowApr 1-7Apr 15-21Aug 8-14Sep 8-1430%
Violet-green SwallowMar 1-7Mar 22-31May 15-21Jul 22-3130%
Tree SwallowFeb 22-28Mar 15-21May 15-21Jul 15-2122%
Cliff SwallowApr 1-7Apr 15-21Jun 1-7Aug 1-710%
Purple MartinApr 15-21Apr 22-30Aug 8-14Sep 1-79.7%
Bank SwallowMay 1-7May 1-7May 22-31Sep 1-73.4%
0%10%20%30%40%Barn SwallowViolet-green SwallowTree SwallowCliff SwallowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
  • Barn Swallow
  • Violet-green Swallow
  • Tree Swallow
  • Cliff 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 Washington 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 Washington

Best counties for Barn Swallow

Share of checklists at the peak
  1. Wahkiakum CountyBest the second week of August · 88 checklists that week, 5,618 in all66%
  2. Pacific CountyBest the second week of July · 413 checklists that week, 19,516 in all64%
  3. Adams CountyBest the second week of August · 98 checklists that week, 4,574 in all54%
  4. Grays Harbor CountyBest early August · 703 checklists that week, 28,443 in all53%
  5. Skagit CountyBest mid August · 1419 checklists that week, 78,154 in all50%
  6. Whitman CountyBest late August · 641 checklists that week, 18,652 in all50%

All swallows in Washington

7 species are reported regularly: 7 are summer visitors.

#SpeciesPatternThrough the yearFirst arrivalsPeakPeak %
1Barn SwallowSummer visitorApr 1-7Aug 8-1430%
2Violet-green SwallowSummer visitorMar 1-7May 15-2130%
3Tree SwallowSummer visitorFeb 22-28May 15-2122%
4Cliff SwallowSummer visitorApr 1-7Jun 1-710%
5Purple MartinSummer visitorApr 15-21Aug 8-149.7%
6Northern Rough-winged SwallowSummer visitorApr 1-7May 15-218.5%
7Bank SwallowSummer visitorMay 1-7May 22-313.4%

Common questions

When do swallows arrive in Washington?
Barn Swallows reach Washington in early April, are common by mid April, peak in the second week of August (30% of checklists), and most are gone by the second week of September.
When do swallows leave Washington?
Most Barn Swallows have left Washington by the second week of September, when reports fall below half their usual rate. Stragglers are still reported until early October.
When is the best time to see swallows in Washington?
The Barn Swallow is reported most often in the second week of August, on about 30% of Washington checklists.
Which swallows are in Washington?
Barn Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, Tree Swallow, Cliff Swallow, Purple Martin, and Bank Swallow are reported regularly; the Barn Swallow is the most common.