In determining the site and construction of BH for swiftlet farming, one must understand swiftlet's macrohabitat and daily activity rhythm. In general, all swiftlets show a similar pattern of daily activity.
Swiftlets will leave their roosting sites by day break (5.30am-6am) and return by dark (7.15pm-7.30pm). Swiftlets with hatchlings will return during mid day to feed their youngs. Their flying range is estimated to be in the radius of 25 to 40km. Studies have shown that swiftlets forage at different areas at different time of the day:
- Area of short plants (paddy field, grassland, bushes, etc): from 6 am to 9am & 3pm to 6pm.
- Area of woodlands (tall forests, palm oil plantations, fruit trees, etc): from 9am to 1pm.
- Area of waterbornes (wetlands, mangrove forest, swamps, ponds, rivers, sea, etc): from 1pm to 3pm.
The propotion of these areas is driven by the major insects activities and characteristics at those areas. For instance the waterborne areas generate relatively less flying insects in the early morning compare to afternoon. Warmer water surface during afternoon will enable insect eggs to hatch and hence produce more flying insects during that period.
Check the existing vegetation around your target land (40 km radius) in order to get the best timing for bird call test and also to determine swiftlets flying path at your land.
to be continued.....
