Our House Martins make their annual return Wheal Jane 😃
We're delighted to welcome back some seasonal visitors to our Wheal Jane site this year, with around a dozen House Martins establishing a colony in the sheltered eaves of our concrete structures.
These fascinating birds migrate to the UK & Ireland in early spring after spending the winter in warmer African climates. They build their characteristic mud nests under ledges or eaves, with both males and females working together to collect mud and carefully construct the nest. House Martins typically raise two broods during the summer months.
As autumn approaches, you may spot flocks overhead, catching insects as they prepare for their return journey.
Easily recognized by their glossy black backs, white bellies, and distinctive white rump, their numbers have declined significantly, earning them a place on the UK Red List in 2020. This decline is especially notable in the South and East, with one contributing factor potentially being the increased use of PVC in modern construction, which hampers their nesting success.
We're so pleased to provide a safe haven for these wonderful birds at Wheal Jane and hope to see them thriving here for years to come.
