Wildlife

UK Sand Martin Colony Welfare

Conservation and welfare of sand martins in UK river bank and sand quarry colonies.

Key Facts

Sand martins excavate nest burrows in sandy riverbanks and quarry faces
UK population has fluctuated with Sahel drought affecting African wintering grounds
Artificially created sand martin banks at gravel pits supplement natural sites
Both parents share incubation and chick provisioning duties
Sand martins arrive from March, among the earliest of UK summer visitors

Welfare Considerations

Individual sand martin chicks depend on abundant flying insect prey provisioned by both parents, with habitat management and artificial bank creation supporting breeding welfare.

What You Can Do

Support creation of artificial sand martin nesting banks at water works and quarries
Record sand martin colony sizes to assist BTO population monitoring
Reduce pesticide use to support flying insect populations that sand martins depend on