House Martin ( Delichon urbicum )

Prospecting!  We have three House Martin nest boxes, two have nests in them, one has a wasps nest.  While we were out in the garden I noticed a martin coming and hanging on to the pebble dash.  During the day it/they were often there.  I assume they are checking possible nest sites either as late  breeders, possibly being last years young.

Having nests is pleasing,apart from the enjoyment of watching them they have been in decline and we had a number of years when there were no nests.  Possibly past of the problem was over winter the nests always collapsed, but in some sites the nest was still there to attract nesters and speed things along.  An artificial nest saves about 10 days building time.