This long-term study of the phenology and ecology of nesting swallows began on Creamer’s Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge in the mid 1990s. Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) and other species of aerial insectivores are currently in decline–especially at Northern latitudes. Since interior Alaska is the northern extent of Tree Swallows’ breeding range, ASI is in an ideal position to evaluate their response to changing environmental conditions.

Today, students ages 10-18 partner with ASI scientists through our youth mentoring and high school internship programs to monitor 150 nest boxes at Creamer’s Field and the University of Alaska, Fairbanks campus. We closely monitor the chronology and success of each nest. We also band any unbanded swallows to determine the site’s fidelity and the population’s longevity.