Artificial bank gives sand martins a safe space

An artificial sand bank has been created at a country park to provide a safe nesting space for a distinctive breed of migratory bird.

The structure has been built for sand martins by rangers at Daventry Country Park, in Northamptonshire, with the help of a contractor.

Sand martins arrive in the UK in March each year, after spending the winter in Africa.

The artificial bank replicates the sand and gravel quarries where the birds usually build their nests.

The RSPB described the sand martin as having dark brown upper parts and pale under parts divided by a distinctive dark chest stripe.

They are agile fliers and often perch on overhead wires or branches.

The number of the birds in Europe has dropped dramatically during the last 50 years as a result of droughts in their African wintering grounds.

They build nests by using their legs to create tunnels in river banks and sand or gravel quarries.

The artificial sand bank at Daventry Country Park has ready-made holes to attract the birds.

It was created by rangers and volunteers working with a local contractor.

West Northamptonshire Council, which runs the park, said: "The new Sand Martin bank at Daventry Country Park has been created to provide a safe nesting habitat for these migratory birds known for their distinctive burrowing nests.

"We'd like to say a big thank you to everyone involved in the project, including our Park Ranger Alan Malin, contractor Jim Birch and DHL, who donated funding and volunteers."

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