Sand martins excavate nest burrows in sandy river and coastal banks; bank erosion management and disturbance prevention are key welfare considerations.
Sand martin welfare during breeding is most threatened by loss of suitable vertical sandy bank nesting sites and disturbance during the active breeding season. Bank stabilisation that removes vertical faces forces birds to abandon established colonies. Human activity near nesting banks during April to August causes repeated flushing stress and nest abandonment. Artificial nesting banks at nature reserves and gravel pits provide high-quality alternative habitat where disturbance can be managed. Maintaining natural river bank erosion processes that create fresh sandy faces serves both sand martin welfare and natural river dynamics.