Swallow Migration and Castlemeads

Around this time of year thousands of swallows have returned from South Africa and Namibia, travelling around 320km a day for 6 weeks. Along this massive journey the birds pass through the Congo rainforest, the Sahara desert, Morocco and then Eastern Spain and Western France before reaching the UK. The birds return to the UK to hatch and rear their young, due to the reduced number of predators, before returning to Africa in September-October. Swallows feed on insects, catching them on the wing while they dart across the sky.


I find this feat fascinating. The fact something only 20cm in length can travel these vast distances each year is so impressive. However, the champion of migration is most definitely the Arctic Tern. Also know as the 'sea swallow', the arctic tern travels 35,000km annually, going from the Arctic to Antarctica and then back again. This also means that the Arctic tern is the species that sees the more daylight that any other animal on Earth. Unfortunately, due to our rising water temperatures populations of the Arctic Tern's primary food source, sand eels, are declining. Puffins are also affected by this issue.


As for Castlemeads, I have taken inspiration from the swallows amazing migration for my design and concept. Forms on the site resemble routes the birds take across the sky, with several areas inspired by the various locations and climates the swallow passes through on their journey. Hopefully my design will be an attractive space that will attract insects and therefore swallows which will dart across the evening sky above the wildflower meadows picking off bug by bug.



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