© Ruedi Aeschlimann
House Martin
Common House Martins live among us in our cities and villages and build their nests under the eaves of houses and other buildings. In our time, this behaviour is leading to their downfall because the acceptance of a little dirt around the house is disappearing and with it the Common House Martins. As a result, the Common House Martin had to be classified as potentially threatened (NT) on the Red List of 2010.
Aims
Common House Martin populations are declining not only in Switzerland, but in almost all European countries. The reasons for this decline are not fully understood. A known problem is house owners’ and inhabitants’ lack of acceptance towards the nests on exterior facades. Another reason probably lies in the general depletion of the Common House Martin’s habitat, because the increasingly sealed land lacks mud for nest building and offers fewer flying insects, the species’ main prey.
To stop the decline of the Common House Martin, we are developing suggestions on how to better support the species. To begin with, we are improving our knowledge of where large Common House Martin populations exist in Switzerland. In addition, we are developing a better understanding of the requirements and needs of the species with regard to its habitat and communicating this knowledge to the public.
Approach
A citizen science project, the “Common House Martin census”, and the surveys for the new breeding bird atlas 2013–2016 serve to improve the knowledge of the distribution and location of important colonies and populations of the species in Switzerland. At the same time, these projects allow us to collect information on the occupation rate of natural and artificial nests and on the types of buildings where Common House Martins like to build their nests. We will use these findings to optimise measures to protect and support the species.
The “Common House Martin census” helped to sensitise the public to the requirements of the Common House Martin and increase acceptance for species that nest on buildings. Common House Martin nesting sites are recorded with an exact address and saved in a database. The data can be viewed by communities or associations to protect local House Martin colonies.
In addition, we investigate the importance of artificial nests for the development of local populations and examine in which cases the building of natural nests should be supported. We also examine whether habitat improvements in the vicinity of important colonies would be appropriate.
Significance
The precise causes for the decline of Common House Martin numbers are not sufficiently known. The recovery programme will help to close knowledge gaps and improve measures for the conservation of the species.
Even though the Common House Martin is being supported with artificial nests by many volunteers, there is increasing ignorance among the general public towards the needs of species that breed on buildings. The recovery programme not only aims to help the Common House Martin, but the House Martin itself will become an ambassador for biodiversity and more space for nature in and around Swiss villages and cities.
Project management
Financial support
Alfons und Mathilda Suter-Caduff-Stiftung
Marion Jean Hofer-Woodhead-Stiftung
Rudolf und Romilda Kägi-Stiftung
Stiftung für Suchende
Stiftung Yvonne Jacob
Stotzer-Kästli-Stiftung
Styner-Stiftung
Publications
Unterschiede zwischen Natur- und Kunstnestern der Mehlschwalbe (Delichon urbicum): Nestbau, Besetzung und Bruterfolg.
Rapport recensement des hirondelles de fenêtre 2012-2014. Où ces messagères du printemps trouvent-elles encore un toit?
House Martin birdcall
Informationen Corona-Virus
Gemäss den Corona-Regelungen des Bundes bleibt das Besuchszentrum bis am 28. Februar 2021 geschlossen.
Unsere Vogelpflegestation funktioniert wie gewohnt weiter. Vögel nehmen wir täglich (Montag-Sonntag) von 09.00-12.00 und von 13.30-17.00 Uhr entgegen.
Aufgrund der verschärften Corona-Massnahmen sind unsere Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter grösstenteils im Home Office. Bitte haben Sie Verständnis, wenn wir momentan nicht alle Anfragen sofort bearbeiten können.
Wir sind Ihnen dankbar, wenn Sie uns primär per Mail kontaktieren, ausser in Notfällen.
Herzlichen Dank für Ihr Verständnis.
Ihre Schweizerische Vogelwarte Sempach
Informations sur le coronavirus
Selon les mesures de la Confédération contre le coronavirus, le centre de visite sera fermé jusqu’au 28 février 2021.
Notre station de soins fonctionne normalement. Nous réceptionnons les oiseaux tous les jours (lundi-dimanche) de 09.00 à 12.00 et de 13.30 à 17.00.
En raison des mesures Covid plus strictes, la plupart de nos employés télétravaillent depuis leur domicile. Nous ne sommes actuellement pas en mesure de traiter toutes les demandes immédiatement. Nous vous serions reconnaissants de bien vouloir nous contacter principalement par courrier électronique, sauf en cas d'urgence.
Nous vous remercions de votre compréhension.
Votre Station ornithologique suisse de Sempach
Informazioni coronavirus
In conformità alle misure della Confederazione contro il coronavirus, il Centro visite è chiuso fino al 28 febbraio 2021.
Il nostro Centro di cura per uccelli continua a funzionare normalmente. Gli uccelli vengono presi in consegna giornalmente (lunedì-domenica) dalle 09.00 alle 12.00 e dalle 13.30 alle 17.00.
A causa delle misure più severe di Corona, la maggior parte dei nostri dipendenti si trova nei loro uffici di casa. Vi preghiamo di comprendere che non possiamo elaborare tutte le richieste di informazioni immediatamente. Vi saremmo grati se poteste contattarci principalmente via e-mail. In caso di emergenza, tuttavia, siamo naturalmente a vostra disposizione. Grazie per la vostra comprensione.
La vostra Stazione ornitologica svizzera
Informations concerning the coronavirus
Due to the measures taken by the Swiss government against the coronavirus, the visitor centre will be closed until February 28th 2021.
Our bird care station continues to operate as usual. We accept birds daily (Monday-Sunday) from 09.00-12.00 and from 13.30-17.00.
Due to the stricter Corona measures, most of our employees are in their home offices. Please understand that we cannot process all inquiries immediately. We would be grateful if you could contact us primarily by e-mail. In case of emergency we are of course available for you.
Thank you for your understanding.
Your Swiss Ornithological Institute