House martins, like their close relative the swallow, return each spring to their familiar mud nests, typically built onto our own homes and offices. Like the swallow, their return each year cheers us up as it reminds us that summer is coming. It is, therefore, somewhat surprising then that, for a bird that is so familiar to us, we know virtually nothing about what happens to house martins after they leave Jersey.
Recoveries of ringed birds from across France and on into North Africa have revealed a migration route south but we have no idea what happens to these birds once they cross the Sahara. House martins are rarely seen in Africa during our winter. There has only been one record of a ringed house martin from south of the Sahara, despite the many thousands of individuals to be fitted with rings in Britain each year (see tracking house martins).
It has been suggested that they remain on the wing and feed above the canopy of the equatorial rainforest, out of sight of human eyes.
However, what we do know is that house martin population in the UK may have declined by 15% over the last decade and may have fallen by as much as two-thirds longer term. In Jersey the house martin was (in 2011) Amber listed as it has shown a moderate breeding population decline (see report here). Since 2011 numbers have continued to decline alarmingly suggesting that it might be Red listed (severe decline in the Jersey breeding population size, of more than 50% over 20 years) when the list is next revised.
It is not clear how many house martins there are in Jersey as it has been difficult to survey them. What we can do is watch closely their colonies and see how they are faring each year and from year to year. If you have a colony on your house or other buildings and would like to record the birds please get in touch with Birds On The Edge by e-mail birdsote@gmail.com The BTO will be carrying testing survey techniques this year before starting a wider survey of house martins in the British Isles in 2015. We will feed Jersey’s results from this year into the national survey.
House martins and their nests are fully protected in Jersey. Please download guidelines here.
Hi
We currently have four sets of house martins nesting in the eaves of our house and my neighbours next door. We are extremely lucky that the martins have been returning here for a number of years and rebuilding their nests. Also this year we are lucky enough to have a pair of swallows nesting in one of the garages.
Michelle
Hi, we have rebuilt a farm arch and are looking to provide nesting site for Housemartin/swallows with the underside in wood as the old farm arches have. Is tantalised wood ok to use or should it be untreated wood? any help advice appreciated.
Regards. Matt
Dear Matt. My apologies for not replying sooner. While untreated wood would always be safer for birds it seems that there is little evidence on whether treated structures are a significant threat. Where treated wood has been used to make a box for birds it will likely be a problem. House martins will make a strong nest structure that won’t bring them into direct contact with the wood and swallows will not be touching the wood and there will be plenty of ventilation. As treated wood seems pretty safe for captive birds that won’t directly gnaw it, it looks as if you would be unlikely to put the swallows/martins at any undue risk. I hope that you are successful at attracting these birds.
Very best wishes,
Glyn Young