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(L to R) Paul Stevens, Tim Parmenter, Alex Waterfield (credit Pat Wilder) | Two House Martins at a nest on the College site (credit Alex Waterfield) |
SOS is supporting a project at Plumpton College as part of their Nature Friendly Campus initiative. The initiative, led by Alex Waterfield, the College’s Ground and Gardens Manager, aims to increase biodiversity on the site. This includes encouraging plants which are beneficial to insects, helping to support the House Martin colony on the site.
The House Martin colony at Plumpton College is the largest in Sussex. However, Tim Parmenter, a local birder who has been monitoring the population there for many years with Reg Lanaway, noticed a steep decline from the 100 or so nests in the 1980’s to just 32 this year. Although many of the College buildings provide ideal nest sites, having areas of tile and brick, 18 artificial nest boxes have been provided by SOS to encourage greater numbers of the birds. SOS Hirundine Champion, Paul Stevens says: “Because House Martins nest in colonies, there is a better chance of attracting more birds to breed where there are a number of established nests. This makes Plumpton College an ideal site”
SOS has also provided the College with Swift boxes which incorporate a ‘caller’, mimicking the sound of these birds. This is known to result in increased success in the birds using the boxes, with some being occupied in the first year after installation.
SOS is keen to receive applications for funding for community projects which benefit birds in the county. Application forms are available by emailing treasurer@sos.org.uk