# House martin artificial nests scheme set to expand

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/house-martin-artificial-nests-scheme-set-to-expand/
- Published: 2026-11-10T07:27:21+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-10T08:25:22+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Science (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c64g1ge73y8lo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Science

## Key points

- Hampshire plans up to 900 free house martin nest cups.
- 27 of 249 pilot nests were used this summer.
- The UK population fell 40% between 1995 and 2024.

## Summary

A Hampshire conservation project plans to install up to 900 artificial nests for house martins, a threatened bird whose UK population has fallen sharply. The free nest cups are intended to save the birds time and energy, while giving them safer places to raise their young.

The UK house martin population fell by 40% between 1995 and 2024, with declines linked to fewer insects, hotter and drier weather reducing available nesting mud, and modern building features that make nests harder to attach. In a pilot, 249 cups were fitted near known nesting sites and 27 were used this summer. Homes, schools and businesses can apply if they are within 1km of a recorded nest and have suitable eaves 4 to 7 metres above ground.

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