But what would happen if that twittering slowly faded, until it disappeared? Swallows have been heavily affected by the environmental changes that have occurred in recent years, so much so that a study by BirdLife International has estimated that the European population of these birds has decreased by at least 40% in recent decades.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
“I would like to turn the sky like the swallows . And every now and then I stop here and there Having the nest under the roofs in the cool of the arcades And like them when it is evening to close your eyes with simplicity ". She sang this Lucio Dalla, recently passed away, evoking a story that repeats itself as quietly as the seasons, the history of swallow migrationand spring that arrives with them, of the perfumes of the evening accompanied by the screeching of the little animals fluttering in the sky.
Images that populate our memories, noises that we automatically reconnect at the beginning of the summer. But what would happen if that twittering slowly faded, until it disappeared? Swallows have been heavily affected by environmental changes occurred in recent years, so much so that a study of BirdLife International estimated that the European population of these birds has shrunk by at least 40% in recent decades.
Le causes of their progressive disappearance are various: first of all lintensive agriculture with its massive use of harmful pesticides it has heavily affected this species, depriving it of hedges, ditches and meadows suitable for nesting and eliminating the insects at the base of its diet. Likewise, the widespread habit of destroy small shelters in mud that the swallows methodically build themselves discourages the return of these little animals of habit which, after the autumn migration to warm countries, almost always return to their nests in April / May. Also climate changes and especially the desertification constitute a threat to these nice little animals: with the changing climate and the cyclical nature of events, the various animal species try to adapt by modifying their geographical distribution, their migration and reproduction methods. However, they are not always successful, as with the changing climate numerous problems also arise: new pathogens often fatal, extreme weather events, food shortages.
There are changes that in our small way we cannot expect to stop overnight; these are those changes already underway, which unfortunately are altering the biodiversity of our planet very quickly and which leave us uncertain as to the future development of the situation. The challenge we face today is an unprecedented one, in the face of which collective effort, participation and awareness are required.
But what can we do, in our small way? As the LIPU in its own awareness campaign on the subject, all of us with small gestures can counter the disappearance of these important animals. How? First of all by promoting an agriculture that respects the environment, animals and our own health with our choices. And then avoiding destroying the nests that the critters build every year in the countryside, under the roofs and eaves of the houses, or by placing the artificial nests that the LIPU makes available to anyone who wishes to give shelter to these cute little birds until the arrival of next autumn. Finally, introduce your children to these small, precious birds: explain to them why they are important, dwell on the details, from the tail to the tendency to stop on the threads of light, tell them about the long journeys that these animals make every year. Let them travel on the wings of fantasy and give LIPU a hand by sighting with them the first swallow that announces spring.
SZ
