The swallow's migration is an amazing feat, given their tiny size.
A sea bird, called the short tailed shearwater, but known locally as a muttonbird, breeds in huge colonies up to 11 million birds, in south eastern Australia, but mainly Tasmania. They nest in burrows, which they dig in soft sand. These birds, which weigh about 500 grams, and have a wingspan of about a metre, fly annually from Australia to the Arctic region, and back, a round trip of 30,000 kilometres. Many die along the way, and their bodies have been found in such places as Japan, the east coast of America, and the Aleutian Islands. We sometimes see dead ones washed up on our local beach, particularly if bad weather occurs as they pass by us. It's an incredible journey.
Peter.