Worried about House Martins

[phileasfox]

Well, we eventually had two pairs return instead of the usual dozen or so pairs. They haven't nested though, no attempts to build or repair old nests and no sign that they are nesting somewhere else either.
They are here, flying around, eating, but not nesting.

Something strange me'thinks. I suppose that they have time to breed yet, some years they can raise three clutches if the weather is right, but certainly very unusual behaviour.

[A-daisy-a-day]

I just want to cry, hardly any bees, no swifts about 6 swallows no house Martins, but we do have quite a few sand Martins nesting in the cliffs, [ I can't send pics of them as I don't understand the rules on this site re photos. ] Very few butterflies so far not even ringlets that are usually around in the scores, I think the planet is doomed.

[Trishos]

Here on the German/Dutch border the sky has been full of wonderful house martins for more than a month. I can hear them now, at 10 in the morning, screaming with delight as they soar through the sky, like a bunch of kids on a roller coaster.

[poohbear]

In a village square near me we had around 15 pairs for years...last year and the year before...not a one, for no particular reason.This year 3 pairs have reappeared...no idea why.

[Waveney One]

Well at least a few have returned for you but they do seem very thin on the ground this year. I am sure they were the most prolific of all the summer visitors at one time.

[clydebirder]

I am just back from a visit to my friends in Crail, Fife. The first thing I noticed on entering his street was the low number of House Martins, there are only 5 occupied nests. Last year there were 16 the year before 27, something is definately not right.

Also a worrying drop in Swifts in my part of Glasgow (and in central Scotland as a whole from what I've seen) this year, Swallows are also not in the same densities as previous years, they are widespread but just not in the same numbers. Sand Martins seem to be holding their own though, some colonies slightly smaller.

It's very worrying, I'd hate to lose any of these birds

John

[alanius]

I do not know if this is true or not, but I have heard that the French put up Tall Nets to catch birds as they migrate from Africa. I have been told that they then eat them.How many House Martins does it take to make a meal?

[A-daisy-a-day]

Originally Posted by Trishos

Here on the German/Dutch border the sky has been full of wonderful house martins for more than a month. I can hear them now, at 10 in the morning, screaming with delight as they soar through the sky, like a bunch of kids on a roller coaster.

How very fortunate you are, can't you re-direct some to us??

[A-daisy-a-day]

Originally Posted by alanius

I do not know if this is true or not, but I have heard that the French put up Tall Nets to catch birds as they migrate from Africa. I have been told that they then eat them.How many House Martins does it take to make a meal?

I thought this sort of thing was stopped when the EU was formed, it should definitely be stopped as unacceptable in a civilised world.

[A-daisy-a-day]

Originally Posted by clydebirder

It's very worrying, I'd hate to lose any of these birds

John

I think we already have John, but at least a little bit of good news from my area, there were two skylarks singing way up high the other morning in some reclaimed farmland which is now used for a commercial nursery, they have planted with something and have left a good area round the perimeter wild, they also have made a largish reservoir, and things are looking interesting, even saw a ladybird on some thistles this morning. but only about two swallows.