Welcome to WingIt
You are viewing one of seven information pages that we are providing via “QR codes” at different locations across the two dales. The other six can be found at Keld Heritage Centre, Muker, Gunnerside Village Hall, the Two Dales Bakery in Reeth, the Dales Bike Centre in Fremington, and at the Arkengarthdale Hub at St Mary’s Church.
The Low Row Institute is the perfect location for breeding House Martins and they have been nesting here for many years. The deep eaves on the building provide shelter from summer heat and protection from predators. Entirely made of mud, their nest can be susceptible to heavy rain which can wash nests and chicks away, but the eaves here provide excellent protection from Swaledale storms. Last year the Institute’s roof was fully refurbished, and we are delighted to see the House Martins have returned and continued to nest as usual. To give the “Wing It” species a helping hand we have also installed Swift boxes on the east gable of the building.
About the House Martin
House Martins, Delichon urbica, are found in the UK from April to early October. They have glossy dark blue upper-parts and are bright white beneath. They can be differentiated from the similar Swallow, by having much shorter tails and no red throat. They also typically fly higher than Swallows. They spend much of their time on the wing, collecting insects.
Where and when can they be seen?
House Martins can be seen across the UK in the summer months. In the Yorkshire Dales, old farmsteads and villages such as Keld can be strongholds for these birds. They are often found foraging for insects over meadows and along freshwater streams and rivers. They migrate to South Africa for the winter (often forming mixed flocks with swallows) and can be seen congregating on power lines prior to their departure. Early in the season, they can also be seen collecting mud from the edges of puddles to build their nests.
Where do they nest?
House Martins often build small enclosed mud pellet nests under eaves and in window recesses; they have a small entrance hole at the top. These are usually associated with human-built structures, including under eaves or overhangs of buildings, in window recesses or on bridge girders. Like swallows, they collect the mud required for their nests and often nest in colonies. House Martins are not particularly faithful birds and many nests contain chicks with different fathers.
Are they declining in number?
Yes. House Martins were added to the UK red list of Birds of Conservation Concern in December 2021. Reasons for the House Martin decline are not fully understood, but are believed to be a combination of factors, including declines in insect availability, weather extremes leading to nest loss, and decreases in first-year survival. Loss of nest sites due to unsympathetic home/barn conversions can also be a problem.
About the WingIt project
Sustainable Swaledale started the ‘Wing It’ project in 2021. Residents of Swaledale & Arkengarthdale had noticed that there appeared to be fewer Swallows, Swifts and House Martins returning to the dales each year. While a decline of these birds has been recorded throughout the UK, when the ‘Wing It’ team looked for information on their nesting locations and populations in the two dales very little information could be found.
The ‘Wing It” project has four objectives.
- To collect data throughout the summer months to identify & document birds in flight and active nest sites over a five-year period. These data help inform our project but also contribute to the wider Yorkshire Dales National Park records and national statistics.
- To support the three species by providing suitable nesting sites.
- To raise awareness & knowledge of the three species & their needs within the two dales.
- To maintain their feeding habitats, through parallel projects in meadow restoration & tree planting.
The WingIt project has been kindly supported by The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority’s Sustainable Development Fund. This fund is open to individuals, businesses, community groups or voluntary sector bodies. It provides an accessible source of money for a range of projects that result in positive benefits for the National Park’s environment, economy and communities, while enhancing and conserving local culture, wildlife and landscape. www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/sdf
