11/08/2026
An exciting update about the artificial Sand Martin banks at Medmerry! Check out this brilliant clip captured by our camera.
Sand Martins are seen frequently at Medmerry during the summer, feeding over the reserve’s saline lagoons, but there are no natural features suitable for them to nest in. Sand Martins nest in burrows that they dig out of steep, sandy cliffs and banks, usually over water. The idea of creating a nesting space for them at Medmerry has been under consideration for several years, and last year the project began to move forward. The Stilt Pools, as one of the places Sand Martins are most frequently seen, were selected as the location, and the nest banks were installed in November 2025 by Green Future Building, with a large amount of funding generously provided by Chichester Harbour Friends.
The artificial nest banks mimic the habitat that the Sand Martins would naturally use, with a vertical textured face over the water, punctured with sand-filled holes that extend through to a nesting chamber at the back.
After seeing no activity around the banks in May and June, it was clear that they were not going to be nesting in them this year.
Excitingly though, now that the Sand Martins are beginning to gather ahead of their return migration to sub-Saharan Africa at the end of the summer, they have been seen investigating the nest banks, flying around them and perching in the openings.
We are hopeful that now they are aware of the nest banks, they may choose to make their burrows in them when they return next spring! We know artificial banks can sometimes take a few years to attract Sand Martins to them but who knows what might what happen next year.......watch this space!
RSPB England Destination Selsey Chichester District Council East Wittering and Bracklesham Parish Council Sussex by the Sea RSPB Chichester Local Group The Great Sussex Way
