South East Water continues its work to boost biodiversity by installing artificial nest sites at its Arlington and Barcombe reservoirs to help increase the breeding success of House Martins and Sand Martins in Sussex.
Both species are regular visitors to the reservoirs, arriving in spring after a long 3,000 mile migration from sub-Saharan Africa and staying to breed over the spring and summer months.
The House Martin towers installed at Arlington and Barcombe have 24 artificial nest cups designed to appeal to House Martins who like to breed in loose colonies; there is also room for them to construct natural mud nests.
The Sand Martin banks have been designed to mimic their natural habitat, using long tubes packed with sand, as well as using acoustic lures to encourage them to nest.
South East Water’s Environmental Performance Officer, Patrick Austin, said: “This is a key element of our commitment to local biodiversity and habitat enhancement and addresses the need for sustainable, safe breeding locations for the local migratory House Martin and Sand Martin populations.
“The reservoirs are an excellent location as the surrounding meadows, pastures, and reservoirs provide excellent foraging habitat for these species.
“House Martin numbers are in decline, in part due to a decrease in insect-rich habitats, along with drier summers meaning finding soft mud to build their nests with is becoming difficult.
“Unlike House Martins, the population of Sand Martins is currently fairly stable in the southeast, however, it is still important to provide robust nesting options for these birds now and for the years to come.”
The work in Sussex is part of a wider drive by South East Water to increase breeding success of Martins, Swifts, and Swallows, which includes funding 125 House Martin nest cups to homeowners in Hampshire as well as providing artificial nests for House Martins and Swifts in and around Canterbury.
For more information, visit: southeastwater.co.uk/housemartins
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