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  • Helen Claytonhelenclayton@mas.to
    Jul 13, 2025, 6:46 PM

    Our house martins fledged today. Husband saw the grand departure but I missed it. However they were soon back in their nest with parents still feeding them. I’d been so worried about them when they first started rebuilding last year’s nest as we were in another dry spell so I’m happy that they got it together. The other pair gave up on theirs and went to our neighbours (who had stickier mud obviously). First time they’ve had house martins and they were delighted. So happy endings all round.

    A photo of two young house martins peeking over the end of their mud nest cup under the eaves of a stone house.
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  • Helen Claytonhelenclayton@mas.to
    Jul 13, 2025, 7:22 PM

    @mactunag the first brood of swallows around here have fledged too and they have been perched on the electricity wires. Also, swifts just screamed overhead! I didn’t think there were any around here but clearly there are.

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  • FiJustFi@beige.party
    Jul 14, 2025, 4:52 AM

    @helenclayton House martins are my absolute favourite, every year I get them nesting above my living room window, right now they are doing all sorts of wonderful acrobatic flying, I suspect it won't be long until they leave.

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  • Helen Claytonhelenclayton@mas.to
    Jul 14, 2025, 6:09 AM

    @JustFi they’re lovely aren’t they, so chatty. Our neighbours have a fair few swallows nesting in their barn but this is the first time they have had house martins (our refugees) and they’re so pleased. Said they’re much more sociable.

    Also, morning 👋

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  • FiJustFi@beige.party
    Jul 14, 2025, 6:12 AM

    @helenclayton Morning!

    They are lovely birds, I always miss their chatter when they go.

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  • Sarah🌳Sarah111well@mas.to
    Jul 14, 2025, 8:19 AM

    @helenclayton Remember me saying about the house that had left their Christmas icicle lights up, preventing the house martins from returning to their old nests? Well I noticed a few martins swooping in and clinging to their next door neighbour’s house, they looked like they were considering trying there. I hope the occupants are martin-friendly, so many aren’t these days.

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  • Sarah🌳Sarah111well@mas.to
    Jul 14, 2025, 9:15 AM

    @Beedazzled @helenclayton I think its only illegal if you interfere with an active nest. Deterring them is legal. But I agree with you. A lot of councils would be in trouble over deterring gulls, which are now their mortal enemies 🤦🏻

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