Wildlife

Wild House Martin Nesting and Welfare

House martins are summer migrants that nest on buildings and face significant welfare threats from nest removal and changing insect availability.

Key Facts

House martin populations declined by 53% in the UK between 1995 and 2020
They build mud cup nests on the exterior of buildings under eaves
Nest removal by householders is a significant cause of breeding failure
Insects caught in flight over water provide their food supply
Artificial nest cups attached to buildings successfully attract house martins

Welfare Considerations

House martins whose nests are removed during the breeding season abandon eggs or chicks, causing death from cold and starvation. It is illegal to intentionally destroy active house martin nests. Householders who understand this protection and install artificial cups where needed significantly support house martin welfare.

What You Can Do

Never remove active house martin nests during the breeding season
Install artificial house martin nest cups on suitable buildings
Support insect-rich habitats near houses to maintain food supply