Off topic: sand martin

[Andy Bullen]

Good morning

There are numerous groups for sharing information about swifts and house martins but not one I know of for sand martins

Following a meeting yesterday about building sand martin banks it has been identified that sharing specifications (hole size, drainage, predation prevention etc) and requirements for building a bank would benefit from a dedicated sand martin network

Can anyone offer advise about setting up such a network or if one already exists?

Plans for new sand martin banks include three in the West Country, two “mobile” banks for a quarry and two that I know of in Norfolk

Thanks

Andy

Mob: 0770 957 0851

SOSSSH

[Bristol Swifts]

Hi Andy

I'm not aware of any network/facebook group specially for sand martins, however I've been posting on House Martin Conservation regarding questions about sand martin banks/artificial cabinets and found them very helpful. Hoping to build one on a rewilding project just south of Bristol.

Mark

Bristol Swifts

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[Andy Bullen]

Hi Mark

Interesting to hear about the Bristol bank

We learnt a lot yesterday about sand martin hole size (22mm), angle of entrance hole, size of nest cavity, predator prevention (field mice being the main culprit!), overall design, drainage, materials to use etc etc

It would be great to share this knowledge in a dedicated forum 

There seem to be more banks planned and increasing their success by adopting proven design can only be a good thing

Interested in everyone’s thoughts about the need to set one up

Thanks

Andy 

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[Alistair]

Devon Birds built a bank at Seaton 10 years until initial occupation.  Could only find this bit about it though…..

https://www.hellorayo.co.uk/greatest-hits/devon/news/record-numbers-of-breeding-sand-martins-at-seaton-wetlands

Cheers

Alistair

Kingsteignton Riffs

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[Yan-Erik B]

I believe one has been built in Sheffield on the River Don, near the City centre.
Also, I beleive it has success

Jan-Erik

[helensshelfordhistory]

The Seaton Wetlands sand martin bank featured on Countryfile here - quite a useful piece and you will see the gentleman who was its main impetus interviewed

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002f27q

Helen, CamSwift

[Paul Stevens]

Hio Andy, I have found this FB group very useful for design and specs.

Paul

(7) Svalene Våre | Facebook

On Thu, 26 Feb 2026 at 08:13, Andy Bullen <andy.b...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Andy Bullen]

Thank you Paul

Andy

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[Dick Newell]

If you Google "Sand Martin bank design" it comes up with a remarkable amount of stuff.

Dick

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[Andy Bullen]

Thanks Dick

I’ll check that out

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