House martins, whose mud nests under building eaves are a familiar sight, are declining across the UK as building renovations and reduced insect abundance undermine their welfare.
House martin welfare is compromised at the intersection of nest site loss and food resource decline. Pairs returning from Africa in spring to find their nest site no longer accessible face the acute stress of re-establishing elsewhere - often unsuccessfully. Chick starvation from reduced aerial insect abundance is increasingly documented at colonies where adults cannot provision young adequately. The installation of artificial nest cups before the breeding season begins provides immediate welfare relief for displaced birds. Planning regulations that protect martin nests during building renovation prevent the displacement of established colonial breeding groups.