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The BTO Swallow Appeal
The BTO Swallow Appeal To fund new conservation research into Swallows and Migration £167,874 raised so far - Thank You! To share the wonder of migration with the next generation we have launched: Rusty Flies South and Rusty's Return Books to read to a very young birdwatcher

Results from BTO surveys indicate that Swallows have declined quite markedly in some parts of the country. The Swallow Appeal will help us understand the reasons for these changes, which may be linked to food supplies or lack of nesting opportunities.(e-mail with your postal address if you would like to be sent an information sheet about Swallows)

Migration

The timing of migration is governed by weather and food availability. If we are to conserve bird populations then we need to understand how climate change might be affecting migration strategies. On their intercontinental travels, birds rely on refuelling stations. Therefore it is also important for migrant bird conservation that we identify their most important habitats and stopover areas.

We need your help

Projects we hope to include within the Swallow Appeal programme will bring together thousands of birdwatchers to tell us more about migration and to help us answer the following questions:

• Why are Swallows being lost from some parts of the British Isles?
• Can we identify key areas and habitats in the British Isles, used by Swallows on their autumn migration?
• How quickly can Swallows fatten up for migration?
• What are the pressure upon migrant birds in Africa?
• Is climate change affecting bird migration?

Update

Thanks to your generosity we have now set up the Roosting Swallows Project to try and answer some of these questions.

Catch them young?

Rusty Flies South has been written for children up to six years old and for the people who read to them. Charming illustrations, painted specially for the BTO Swallow Appeal by talented artist Sally Bell, tell the story of Rusty, a young Swallow, from the time he leaves his nest until he finally reaches South Africa.

These compressed images cannot do justice to Sally Bell's beautiful watercolours. Please *order your copy of Rusty Flies South now, to delight a young child and to help Swallow conservation by supporting our research.

To order this very special book, which is not available in the shops, please write to: Swallow Appeal, BTO, The Nunnery, Thetford, IP24 2PU, UK with your cheque for £5 per copy, which includes post and packing in the UK. If you prefer, you can *download an order form here. To order by credit card please telephone 01842 750050 (+44 1842 750050 from overseas) or *download this form.

Rusty's Return - he's back from Africa!

Last year we launched the BTO's Swallow Appeal by publishing Rusty Flies South. Sally Bell and Graham Appleton have now responded to requests from readers by producing a second volume, Rusty's Return, which sees Rusty reunited with his friends on Honeysuckle Farm after his long journey home.

Once again, Sally Bell has provided delightful colour illustrations. Order your copy of Rusty's Return today.

Please support the Swallow Appeal with a donation. Thank you.

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