House Martins

DublinWriter

I have a house martin nest under the eave of my house.

It's been there since I got the place two years ago and the little critters never fail to fly back to it every summer.

However, I've noticed something weird about their nesting pattern. Several adults will fly around in a circle and stop outside the nest, they're not feeding the young and they seem to be too far away, but it's almost like they are checking the young are ok (well, that's what I'd like to believe!).

But I thought, is my presence in the back garden upsetting them and causing them to get agitated? Or what's going on?

Funsterdelux

DublinWriter wrote:

I have a house martin nest under the eave of my house.

It's been there since I got the place two years ago and the little critters never fail to fly back to it every summer.

However, I've noticed something weird about their nesting pattern. Several adults will fly around in a circle and stop outside the nest, they're not feeding the young and they seem to be too far away, but it's almost like they are checking the young are ok (well, that's what I'd like to believe!).

But I thought, is my presence in the back garden upsetting them and causing them to get agitated? Or what's going on?

The adults could be inticing the chicks to come out, but maybe its too early. Yeah, and your probably upsetting them.

FranknFurter

Usually adult birds will fly from the nest if they think a predator is around to try and distract your attention from their chicks / nest. Its probably that they just see you as a potential predator (normal behaviour)
I wouldnt worry too much, if you can keep out of site great, but its no biggie.

b

DublinWriter

FranknFurter wrote:

I wouldnt worry too much, if you can keep out of site great, but its no biggie.

I think they're getting used to me being out the back now, there's far less aerobatics going on when I sneak out the back for a cig.

I also think that there was a bit of a House Martin vs. Swallow thing kicking off when I first observed the activity.

They sure love to fly and fool about in the air. No sign of the young yet though.

Mothman

They should be well into their 2nd brood by now, so the number of adults seen flying about the nest may well be partly made up by the grown up young (juveniles) of the first brood.