Sand Martins

[JOHN WEST]

We were out walking last weekend on a river not too far from where we live and saw a fabulous site,at least 500 Sand Martins nesting in a bank on the river.Can`t remember having seen so many in one place,going back tomorrow armed with the camera and scope,hopefully the Swallows won`t be to far behind them.

[John]

Now that is a sight I would like to see John. Whereabouts was that?

John

Originally Posted by JOHN WEST

We were out walking last weekend on a river not too far from where we live and saw a fabulous site,at least 500 Sand Martins nesting in a bank on the river.Can`t remember having seen so many in one place,going back tomorrow armed with the camera and scope,hopefully the Swallows won`t be to far behind them.

[Gill Catton]

I remember a sort of breeding bird survey I was doing along the River Ure I think it was, near Ripon, and I rounded a corner thrilled after seeing a female goosander with young on the river and a hobby riding a thermal high in the sky when I stumbled accross the biggest sand martin colony I have ever seen 400+ holes (though not certain if they were all active) it was fantastic, took my breath away! surrounded by them! fantastic, a good days birding that one that's for sure.

I love sand martins I was doing another survey really early around a lake near Cardiff in late April when suddenly out of nowhere I was engulfed in a cloud of about 60 sand martins which whooshed passed continuing their path over the water busily catching insects, fantastic, by my next visit they were gone, taking thier business elsewhere...