The Government is asking the public to report any sightings of a barn swallow nest after a pair of the birds were regularly spotted around Commonwealth Park during the nesting season.

A statement from the Government follows below:

Barn swallows were once regular nesters in several parts of Gibraltar, but, while still common on migration, have not been known to nest on the Rock for several decades. 

But they could be doing so this year. Regular observations of a pair of swallows feeding over Commonwealth Park and drinking from the pond for some weeks during the nesting season have raised suspicions that they may be nesting in a building in town. They are seen travelling to and from town to the east of Commonwealth Park, and so if there is a nest it could be somewhere in the area east of the park. Searches of possible sites have so far not proved fruitful. 

Swallows build cup-shaped nests from small pierces of mud, usually in buildings (see photo). 

Anyone who may have seen such a nest on a building is asked to and advise the Department of the Environment by email to [email protected], including a photograph if possible.