Banking On Your Help

With a little forward planning, quarry operators can help protect Britain’s sand martin population

by Grahame Madge, RSPB media officer

The swallow is the first sign of spring for most people, but it is the sand martin — with its twittering call — that is most likely to attract the attention of the quarryman.

Relatives of the swallow, these birds also spend the winter in Africa and return to the UK to nest as early as mid-March, in many cases drawn to working quarries and other extraction sites, which offer accessible nesting sites and now host the bulk of this bird’s British population.

Graham White, the RSPB’s wetlands advisor, put it simply. ‘The sand martin has become increasingly dependent on the aggregates industry, and without working quarries the population would be far lower than it is today.’

From a sand martin’s perspective, it is easy to see why working quarries are so attractive. Exposed faces of sand or other minerals perfectly complement the bird’s natural nesting sites, such as the vertical faces exposed by the erosion of riverbanks.

Mr White added: ‘The sand martin highlights the paradox that a disturbing process such as mineral extraction actually allows many species of wildlife to survive or even thrive during the working life of a quarry.’

Nevertheless, the relationship between quarrymen and the sand martin can sometimes be strained. ‘Managing a working quarry for wildlife need not be an onerous activity for the site manager. However, we do recognize that in certain circumstances sand martins may present problems for the quarry manager,’ said Mr White.

‘Active sand martin nests are protected by law and, sadly, in some cases quarrymen have faced prosecutions for destroying nests while extracting aggregates.

‘This is deeply regrettable for two reasons. First, the destruction of active nests can be avoided through better timing and planning. And secondly, these actions put an enormous strain on the blossoming relationship between conservation groups, such as the RSPB, and the aggregates industry. Many of the RSPB’s best and most ambitious habitat restoration projects – such as the recreation of wetland habitats at Needingworth in Cambridgeshire – rely on our otherwise excellent relationship with the aggregates industry.’

Alan Baker of Tarmac’s Broom Quarry, near Sandy, in Bedfordshire, commented: ‘With a little forward planning we find it perfectly possible to combine the constraints of a working quarry with the needs of the sand martin. Some may look upon having nesting sand martins as a restriction, but here we take pride in putting nature and the environment into our business.’

The sand martin’s habitat preference results in colonies being established in vertical banks where there is at least a vein of fine sand, in working faces at quarries or in stockpiles. The colony size can vary considerably, from a few pairs to several hundred. Bank height and orientation are also variable, and depend largely on the quality of the sand for burrowing, but the nest burrow is usually 2–5m above ground level. The burrow itself is up to 1m long and ends in a broader chamber. Nests may be completed in a week or less and are active from April through to July or August, sometimes later. Established sites may be used for a number of years.

Under existing legislation in England, Scotland and Wales, all wild birds, their nests and their eggs are protected by law. Some rare species are afforded special protection. It is an offence to intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built. In the case of sand martins, as soon as a bird starts to excavate a burrow, it is protected.

How to avoid problems

• Problems can arise in quarries where colonies establish in banks that are being actively worked, or in stockpiles. The key to avoiding problems and/or delays is forward planning and good communication within the quarry. At company level, the production of guidelines incorporating the following points would be beneficial.
• Where sand martin colonies become established every effort should be made to retain banks until after the breeding season. To be safe, no work should be carried out that could damage or destroy a sand martin burrow between March and August. Good communication will ensure that all quarry staff and contractors are aware and, if necessary, the area should be taped off.
• If suitable nesting banks must be worked during the breeding season, planning ahead and making the banks unsuitable in February/March may prevent any problems, for example, by reforming the top of the bank to a slope of 45–60° and thereby removing the vertical aspect, or by placing netting over the bank.
• At the same time, it may be possible to create habitat in an alternative area that will not be worked in the coming season. This should be an undisturbed vertical face of fine sand, preferably over 3m high, with a clear, open aspect to the front. New banks, or the re-cutting of existing faces, should be undertaken between September and February.
• Sand martins may also attempt to nest in stockpiles. Ideally, stockpiles should be inspected daily to ensure that there are no steep faces, and if appropriate, re-graded to a slope of 45–60°.
• The use of heavy vehicles above a sand face with an active colony should be avoided.
• Where appropriate, contact with local conservation organizations or birdwatchers may be helpful, particularly in providing advice as to when the birds have vacated the burrows at the end of the season.?Assistance can also be sought from the RSPB’s Conservation Advice Department (tel: 01767 680551), where it may also be possible to be put in touch with a local contact.

The RSPB is a leading adviser on habitat restoration. The RSPB book ‘Habitat creation handbook for the minerals industry’ details the entire process of planning habitat creation, presenting the latest ideas and methodology. It is available, price £24.99 per copy, from: The RSPB, Unit 17, St Martins Business Centre, Cambridge Road, Bedford MK42 0LH; tel: (01234) 211522.