Shifting sands

I am currently a licensed bird ringer with the Sorby Breck Ringing Group. This year I have taken on a new project, this being an artificial Sand Martin bank situated on the River Don at Kelham Island in Sheffield. This is the first year it has been occupied by Sand Martins; however, our findings have been peculiar. We have learned that Sand Martins are very unpredictable! Sadly, this first attempt resulted in a failed nest. Our findings in week one revealed one chick just a few days old, week two had no chick but four warm eggs and then week three had one cold, unfertilised egg. Unfortunately, this can sometimes happen with nature, we can only assume this pair could be first-time breeders and lack experience. Predation was considered but not evidently proven.

Nevertheless, the Sand Martins at another artificial bank at Carbrook (also in Sheffield) have been successful this year. Six nests produced 15 young, which were ringed by the group. In 2020, a youngster was ringed at Carbrook on 14 June. By 12 July the same young Sand Martin was recovered in Burnside, Hertfordshire, by another bird ringer. Weighing 11.3 g, this tiny bird had already flown 201 km southwards in the space of 28 days!

This is a great example of the valuable information that ringing can provide, showing how quickly the young will start to move after fledging. Artificial Sand Martin banks are great, providing nests for the hirundines while also allowing us to study these fascinating migratory birds with minimal impact. Harriet Day, via email

Left and below: Ringing at an artificial Sand Martin bank in Sheffield has given fascinating insight into these birds’ lives.