Which Martin? Best guess request.

[Deb London]

Hi all,

I was trying to find some Wheatears today. At the far end of the far wall of a reservoir were some birds going in and out of a hole in the wall.

The hole is somewhere in the middle of this picture.



The birds were almost undoubtedly martins. I could not get near enough to see which ones, even with bins.

House Martins have returned to the area. But then Sand Martins nest in holes near water. So I am torn between the two.

Does anyone have a feeling as to which species of martin I might have seen?

[JeffH]

Almost certainly Sand Martins

Jeff
(Schedule 1 Licence holder for Kingfishers, Barn Owls and Avocets)

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by JeffH

Almost certainly Sand Martins

Indeed!

Sand Martins frequently adapt to using drainage holes in concrete banks like this - most of those that breed near me use artificial holes along the canal and flood relief channels in the Lee Valley.
House Martins build themselves a mud nest under an overhang.

[Deb London]

Thanks both very much. I've had a good day for seeing martins then.