Last year our swift group purchased some nest cups from Paul Stevens, to try and boost some of our local house martin colonies. We were delighted to hear from Paul Gorton north of Bury that the birds on his house had their best season in years!
Paul told us that in the two natural nests, 9 chicks fledged from the 1st brood, they both also went on to rear a second brood, whilst the artificial nest cup was then also taken up for the first time.
The fledgling house martins also made use of an unoccupied swift box where they enjoyed perching to get their parents attention.
Louise from Bolton and Bury Swifts also reports one local colony had healthy numbers and birds were witnessed collecting mud from a nearby farm yard, which was a joy to witness.
