House Martins....yet again

[Mark43]

How long does it take a House Martin to build it's nest?

Since i have lived at my present address the house 2 doors down has hosted House Martins which build a nest on the round phone/aerial box under the eaves.

Well the nest fell down this winter and they haven't tried to rebuild it but have started a new one next door about a week ago.

Up to four of them have been up there but in a week they seem to have built about an inch of it at the bottom and it needs to be at least 6 or 7 inches to reach the eaves.

At this rate breeding season will be over surely.

And why do four of them build it........are they going to share it.

[Alan]

Originally Posted by Mark43

And why do four of them build it........are they going to share it.

No idea how long it should take them.

Four of them! Not sure but I would think safety in numbers - a communal thing! It's either that or they're swingers

[May]

I passed a glance over next door's house martins this morning and theirs is almost done it seems. The others don't look anywhere near as developed as this first pair.