Worried about House Martins

[nigel_b]

We've still got some around here. Havent noticed a decline in the numbers.

[robert382]

Originally Posted by norfolkwildlife

I have seen alot so far around my area i think the reason they are slow coming is because of the wet summers we have had what do you think ?

Hi. I am guessing here, but it does seem to me that the majority of House Martins seen by posters in England, are in the north and west of the country. Here in this part of north Sussex, I have not seen any for 2 0r 3 years, although there were several pairs nesting in one of the main shopping streets in Horsham a few years ago under a restaurant roof (since removed).
It could be that lack of insects in some areas could be partly the reason, farms have many flies etc round the cattle/sheep/poultry etc, whereas towns have little insect life except in parks and large gardens. This is affecting all insect eating birds, and even sparrows that feed their young exclusively on insect food for the first 14 days or so.
If any of you watched the excellent film on the wildlife of the former Iron Curtain countries, where filming was done from the borders of Russia to the Danube, one local bird observer in Croatia recorded a big decline in sand martins, due to the river authorities levelling sand cliffs along the Sava river, and destroying all the nesting sites. criminal and ignorant activity, that is happening in UK also, as posters here have stated.
In Spain, for those visiting, there are hundreds of Martins, Alpine and Pallied swifts screaming around every Church tower and tall public buildings, making a continuous noise every morning and evening, as they dart around at speed in huge numbers. what a sight indeed, but here sadly often silence nowadays

[kiltoncomp]

Originally Posted by robert382

It could be that lack of insects in some areas could be partly the reason, farms have many flies etc round the cattle/sheep/poultry etc, whereas towns have little insect life except in parks and large gardens. This is affecting all insect eating birds, and even sparrows that feed their young exclusively on insect food for the first 14 days or so.

the sewage filter beds of most towns and citys sewage farms have a large population of insects for birds to feed on,
having done maintenance work on many sewage farms , i have seen swallows, swifts and martins in huge numbers feeding around the works,

two large ones (Nottingham and Birmingham) would have hundreds of them at any one time, plus lots of wagtails, pied in particular and many other birds using them,
how far they travelled between nesting sites and the food source is unclear, but i would think some would come a fair distance to take advantage of the easy and abundant food supply available to them,
just imagine the amount of flys etc there would be if not for this type of bird to keep them in check

[Fieldfare95]

Only seen one or two, and not many swallows/swifts either. I remember it was only about three years ago when the sky was filled with them. Hope they return.

[kiltoncomp]

good news and bads news on the swifts here today,
the original five have been joined by around 10 or 12 more so we are nearly back to last years numbers
the bad news is, we found one lying dead on the patio this morning, not a mark or sign of injury on it, we think it must have flown into the patio doors and died from the impact , they have been swooping almost to ground level before sweeping up over the flat roof up into the eaves) , so its possible that this one misjudged it somehow, which given their usual flying ability seems unusual.
sad to think it made it to Africa and back to die like this


Brian.

[phileasfox]

Over the last 22 yearswe have always had about 12 nesting pairs, and last year they were particularly early in returning - back by the 14th april.#
The latest they have ever returned was the 21st May.
This year - nothing....... The swallows were back earlier than usual, but absolutely no House Martins.

[Chas]

I was at a BBQ yesterday and chatting to a friend who is a Maths teacher and her husband believe it or not a Colonel in the Royal Marines. (I mention that because it illustrates the level of education and social standing). She told me that she has put wire around the eaves of the house to discourage the martins that "cause such a mess" and they "have gone elsewhere" this year!
What an alarming and sad reflection and one that frustrates me more than I can express.

[Ruth Daniel]

Good news here at last!

After a brief appearance by a Martin in early April we've had nothing ......until this w/end and suddenly they seem to be everywhere including sitting inside last years nest.....hopefully things will progress now and we'll get at least one brood!

House Martins are protected by law so if you see anyone removing or destroying a nest it might be worth mentioning to them that they could be fined £5000 for every bird/egg destroyed!!

The RSPB: Advice: House martins and the law

[Fieldfare95]

Plenty of swifts around merseyside, very little swallows and I've seen about 3 house martins.
It's only about 3 years ago that the sky was full of 'em.

[hobble]

Lot's of house martins flying over my house at the moment, in fact I think there are more this year. They nest just down the road and feed on midges I think above the quarry in which I live.
I noticed them because of the sound they make.