House Martins

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

No I haven't seen one yet

Just a quickie, what direction do the nesting house martins usually like to face? the reason i ask is i'd like to put up some of the nesting cups for them, but the only place i could put them faces SW, however the overhang from the roof is a good foot and would offer shade throughout the day

Is this a suitable place?

Thanks

[VinceS]

There is some evidence reported by the RSPB that Housemartins prefer North and East facing walls. There is reference to this on the RSPB website. However. they also say they can appear to nest randomly! So dont give up with your nests, they might be used. Hope this is of some use.

Vince

[RobSutton]

They use South facing walls on houses near me and seem quite happy nesting on the south facing face of Malham Cove - If it's the only place you can put them I'd give it a go. It sounds like the eaves will give enough shade.

[Seajay]

I've been tring to think of the aspect of the nests I've seen over the years and from memory it would appear to be random. They were all under eaves which gives shade even with South facing.
I can remember when a child I could open my bedroom window and touch the nests. These were South facing and plenty of youngsters were raised with no problems. Shade from the eaves is the main thing I would have thought. Perhaps the aspect becomes more important in the far north?

Colin

[wyevilla]

When I was growing up in the sixties, the HMs nested at the rear of our house (North). In our house before this one, they built on the South side..

Sadly we don't have any at this house although they nest next door on the South and East sides.

So take your pick. Best of luck!!

[JeffH]

Our next door neighbours had them in a nesting cup on a south facing wall last year and some years ago we used to have them nesting naturally on an east facing wall, so I don't think they're too fussy.

Jeff

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Sounds like I have a chance then we do get the in good numbers in some years, particularly when the field near us has rape seed planted, which the insects love

[ChrisJB]

Our local nesters face all over the place, with some north east, some west and some south.

Let us know if you get any success!

Regards, Chris