We know surprisingly little about House Martins despite the fact that they breed alongside us, using our houses on which to build a nest made of hundreds of beakfuls of mud. Critically, we do not know why this species is in rapid decline in the UK. Currently, it is ‘Amber listed’ in the Birds of Conservation Concern listings, compiled by the UK’s leading conservation agencies.
The BTO is looking for volunteers to help with this year’s House Martin Nest Study. If you have House Martins nesting in your area, you could help collect vital data.
For further information, read more here
Alternatively, or for further advice, contact:
Ben Reeve
BTO Assistant Regional Rep for Northants
7 Rectory Close, Crick, Northants, NN6 7SY
Email: benreeve@outlook.com
Twitter: @NorthantsBTO
Personal Twitter: @BeardWarbler
01788 824413
07961 038455
Northants birds 
Interestingly the 2016 and 2017 spring surveys of birds at Waterside Campus have recorded house martins, whereas they were not recorded in 2013 or 2015 (no survey was done in 2014). No idea where they are nesting or whether it might be a new colony though. Do house martins forage far from their nest sites?