Hampshire residents invited to help boost breeding of House Martins
A new project aims to install 100 safe nest sites for the birds
Residents in Hampshire are being invited to help with a scheme planned to boost the breeding success of House Martins birds.
The project aims to install 100 safe, durable nest sites for House Martins on eligible homes in the South East Water supply area, to help them breed successfully.
Homeowners in and around Basingstoke, Alton, Aldershot, Farnborough, Fleet, Bordon and Petersfield are invited to take part.
Volunteer coordinator for the HOS Hampshire House Martin Project, Nigel said: "Artificial nest cups provide House Martins with safe nest sites and save them time and effort building their own. This is especially important when damp mud is hard to find and where houses have smooth, plastic soffits.
"We've allocated nest cups to properties in Bramley, Alton, Hook, Petersfield, Bordon and Sherbourne St John, and would welcome further requests from these places and across South East Water's supply area.
"House Martins prefer to nest close to other House Martins, in loose colonies, so we ideally want to hear from people who live or work within about 500m of an existing colony."
The birds are known for nesting in loose colonies and are said to benefit from artificial homes because they often struggle to build their own or find suitable nest sites.
South East Water’s Environmental Performance Officer, Patrick Austin, said: “Taking part in this project shows our commitment to protecting and enhancing the environment and the wildlife that resides within it.
“The funding we have provided for this project will hopefully support the breeding of House Martins and help to reverse their declining numbers.”