Help for housemartins

sarahazel · #1 (**permalink**) 24-08-2009, 08:09 PM

My sister in Wales has housemartins nesting on the side of the house. On one side the angle of the roof is very wide so each year tragedy strikes as the young fledgelings become too heavy and the nest falls to the ground. Do you think adding an extra beam would help the nest-build to be more successful? This has been going on for 3 years now. Its heartbreaking.

Phoebe · #2 (**permalink**) 24-08-2009, 09:27 PM

It is probably the same pair each year and they don't seem to get it right! I'm unsure whether helping them is the right thing to do, maybe deterring them might be an idea

Picidae · #3 (**permalink**) 24-08-2009, 09:32 PM

Hi Sarah

It could also be because the mud in the area is of poor quality - If she has time over the winter, making some artificial nests would be a good idea:

RSPB

The RSPB: Advice: How to make a house martin nest

or she could purchase some

NHBS - Schwegler House Martin Nest