sand martins are back.

[rossy]

popped up to see if how many sand martins had returned and boy was i not let down, must be close on 100 pair, what a sight and noise like wasps swarming all over the place, it was fantastic, anyway on the 30 mins i was up there, spotted 2 wheatear, 2 linnets, 4 willow warblers, 2 swallows, 2 blue tits, 4 goldfinches, 4 chaffinches, wood pigeons, robins, blackbirds, but then to top it all , the distinctive call of the curlew, and bingo there they where on the other side of the hill from me, never seen them up there before, but hoping they stick around, and chris jb i know you know the area, rossy.

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by rossy

popped up to see if how many sand martins had returned and boy was i not let down, must be close on 100 pair, what a sight and noise like wasps swarming all over the place, it was fantastic, anyway on the 30 mins i was up there, spotted 2 wheatear, 2 linnets, 4 willow warblers, 2 swallows, 2 blue tits, 4 goldfinches, 4 chaffinches, wood pigeons, robins, blackbirds, but then to top it all , the distinctive call of the curlew, and bingo there they where on the other side of the hill from me, never seen them up there before, but hoping they stick around, and chris jb i know you know the area, rossy.

If it's the colony I think it is then that's great news Rossy, especially as it's a relatively young colony. When I first saw them in 2005, I bet there were only about 12 pairs.

Chris

[rossy]

Originally Posted by ChrisJB

If it's the colony I think it is then that's great news Rossy, especially as it's a relatively young colony. When I first saw them in 2005, I bet there were only about 12 pairs.

Chris

yes chris this colony has been increasing every year, its the one where the bank gave way , and overnight the farmer told me they appeared, if you get the chance pop up , as i know you like curlews as well, not too far from the m62, is that the same one ? rossy.

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by rossy

yes chris this colony has been increasing every year, its the one where the bank gave way , and overnight the farmer told me they appeared, if you get the chance pop up , as i know you like curlews as well, not too far from the m62, is that the same one ? rossy.

It is the same one. I'd be interested to know the exact date (even year) they started breeding there. Having just checked my diary it was July 2005 when I discovered them and I do walk over that way a lot and don't recall them in 2004. The birds often commute between the site and Ogden Res' where they feed over the water. Last year some of the lower nests got predated by a fox as well.

Chris

[darrenm]

along the river Trent close to my local patch the numbers of Sand Martin in the colony this year are some of the best i've seen for around a decade. A friend who spent the winter in Africa where Sand Martin were present said they were doing very well due to it being much wetter than the last few years he had spent working there.

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by darrenm

along the river Trent close to my local patch the numbers of Sand Martin in the colony this year are some of the best i've seen for around a decade. A friend who spent the winter in Africa where Sand Martin were present said they were doing very well due to it being much wetter than the last few years he had spent working there.

That is interesting. We don't often hear about the conditions migrants face on their wintering grounds. I wonder if it has had a positive impact on other species?

Regards, Chris

[rossy]

Originally Posted by ChrisJB

It is the same one. I'd be interested to know the exact date (even year) they started breeding there. Having just checked my diary it was July 2005 when I discovered them and I do walk over that way a lot and don't recall them in 2004. The birds often commute between the site and Ogden Res' where they feed over the water. Last year some of the lower nests got predated by a fox as well.

Chris

yes chris, ive seen a sparrowhawk go in but left with nothing, and the year before a jay , think 2005 was their 1st year , rossy.