A Shot Of Wildlife
A Shot Of Wildlife
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Things you need to know about the HOUSE MARTIN
There are fewer more welcome signs that summer is on its way than the arrival of swallows, swifts and house martins. They can sometimes be confused with each other so here is a side by side comparison, including the sand martin which also visits the UK. House martins have a wingspan of 26 to 29cm and short forked tails. Their heads, backs and wings appear black from a distance, although they shimmer with blue in the right light. Their undersides are creamy white and they also have a white rump.
House martins are agile flyers and catch their food on the wing, which consists entirely of flying insects and aphids.
When they return to the UK, which can be from early April onwards, they quickly get to work with breeding. Although they are monagous in that the same male and female will usually raise chicks together for multiple years, they are not very faithful and one study found that more than 3 quarters of nests contained chicks from more than one male. Traditionally house martins would have nested on cliffs but as their name alludes, these days they mostly nest on man made structures, particularly under the eaves of houses. Their nests are constructed out of up to 1000 small balls of clay which the parents diligently place to make an almost completely closed cup. Sometimes they will use the same nest in successive years and they will also use man made nests if they are available. Once the nest is complete it is lined with a thin layer of vegetation and feathers before four or five eggs are laid. The eggs are completely white and measure just under 2cm long. Both sexes incubate them for around 14 days and once they hatch, both parents bring a ready supply of food to the nest. The chicks take around 3 weeks to fledge, although once they leave the nest they may return for several days whilst their parents carry on feeding them. Gradually they will become more independent and at around 5 weeks old they will be completely self sufficient. Typically house martins will nest 2 times in a summer with more established pairs sometimes raising a third brood.
After breeding is complete, they start to gather in larger flocks before setting off southwards for the winter. They begin to leave from August although some birds remain well into October if the weather isn’t too harsh. Many times when I speak about bird numbers declining I do so based on research and haven’t noticed the decline so much myself, but with house martins even in my 32 years of life I have noticed a significant drop in their numbers. Since 1995 they have declined by more than 37% with around 480,000 pairs remaining. Its likely that at least some of this decline has been caused by the drastic drop in flying insects, prompted by changes in the way the countryside is managed. House martins live an average of 2 years but the oldest known bird survived for 7 years 1 month and 12 days. Here is one of the house martins calls.
#birds #birdwatching #nature
Some of the footage and images used in this video were obtained using creative commons licences, the originals can be found at:
ua-cam.com/video/Ir25lJALZQc/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/gKwJpXXiqSw/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/R8Ff300C5Mk/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/0EeLgmF5IRw/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/PmAnw5Md_DM/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/KBwWTRiLm8w/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/6IjaAJXXWx8/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/8F-gsHZz7gU/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/nEufvDBdrvM/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/3H6xCZAMMGo/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/Yvwld3tRfIE/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/1zd1FP-VPsA/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/t-uBMrd6rCY/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/8XrBYKh6Uvo/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/bKerluuKLv8/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/MNq3PK7v9YM/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/5TAzHJYJ-IM/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/JhT4vFvQdgw/v-deo.html
www.flickr.com/photos/77370075@N07/8527862913/
animalia.bio/index.php/common-swift
www.pexels.com/photo/flying-barn-swallow-17818822/
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sand_Martin_%28Riparia_riparia%29_%2814%29.JPG
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Delichon_urbicum_MWNH_2220.JPG
Thumbnail: www.flickr.com/photos/68942208@N02/18748029961
Переглядів: 5 053

Відео

A Wonderful Wetland Wildlife Walk!
Переглядів 4,8 тис.21 день тому
Come along as I take in some of the beautiful scenery and amazing wildlife of Hickling Broad Nature reserve. Expect lots of invertebrates, some birds and the UK's largest and one of its rarest Butterflies. #nature #wildlife #britishwildlife
What Wildlife lives in UK Ponds?
Переглядів 21 тис.28 днів тому
Discover some of the wildlife that lives in and around ponds in the UK and lots of interesting information about them. #wildlife #ponds #nature Some of the footage and images used in this video was obtained using creative commons licences. The originals can be found at: ua-cam.com/video/gEbUbBte 0/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/ZxNkHcggyw4/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/gujZGDYDfQo/v-deo.html ua-cam....
How to Identify GARDEN BIRD Fledglings of the UK
Переглядів 4,7 тис.Місяць тому
Garden Bird fledglings can look very different to Adults, so here is a short video on how to identify the young of the 8 most common garden birds of the UK. #birdwatching #britishwildlife #nature Some of the footage and images used in this video were obtained using creative commons licence, the originals and their licence details can be found at: House sparrow ua-cam.com/video/_eRfL6pK-dA/v-deo...
Things you need to know about OSPREYS!
Переглядів 4,8 тис.Місяць тому
Ospreys are one of the most widespread birds of prey in the world and are found on every continent. In this video you'll discover lots of interesting information about them, what they eat, where they live, what their chicks look like and lots more. #osprey #birdwatching #ukwildlife Depending on where in the world you are, you might recognise this bird as a river hawk, a sea hawk or a fish hawk,...
The Mysterious MUSTELIDS of the UK!
Переглядів 11 тис.Місяць тому
When it comes to mammals in the UK, there is one family that has more species than any other. These are the Mustelids, and in this video you will discover every species of them that lives in Britain and Northern Ireland. #britishwildlife #wildlife #ukwildlife Some of the footage and images used in this video were obtained using creative commons licences. The originals and their licence details ...
Finding 2 LIFETIME FIRSTS on a trip to SCOTLAND!
Переглядів 5 тис.2 місяці тому
I never stop looking for wildlife, so on a recent family trip to Edinburgh I couldn't help myself but have a look for some local wildlife. I was not disappointed as just outside of the caravan park where we stayed the coast was peppered with sea and shore birds, including 2 species I have never seen before! #wildlife #birdwatching #nature
What Wildlife lives in UK towns and Cities?
Переглядів 9 тис.2 місяці тому
Towns and Cities might not be the first place you think of when it comes to wildlife, but there are many species that have adapted to survive here, and some that have even evolved to live nowhere else. In this video I will show you some of the common and some of the rarer wildlife of the UK's towns and cities. #wildlife #nature #britishwildlife Massive thanks to Graham over at @NaturallyCurious...
Hunting for Red Squirrels in ENGLAND!
Переглядів 6 тис.2 місяці тому
Red Squirrels are the original native squirrel of the UK, but have been displaced by non-native Grey squirrels over most of the country. There are a handful of places where they can still be found, or where they have been reintroduced, so come along with me as I try to track them down. #nature #squirrels #wildlife
What Wildlife lives in UK Farmland?
Переглядів 15 тис.2 місяці тому
In the UK, 69% of land is farmland. Discover some of the common and rarer species that live their in this introduction to UK farmland Wildlife. #wildlife #britishwildlife #ukwildlife Some of the footage used in this video was obtained using creative commons licences. The originals and their licence details can be found at: ua-cam.com/video/Uj8QNo3kDMI/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/G1gH73LqA9s/v-d...
A Day of Surprises - The Wildlife of a UK Coastline!
Переглядів 7 тис.2 місяці тому
When it comes to Wildlife in springtime, there isnt a place in the world (That I have visited at least) which is home to as many species as the North Norfolk Coast. Join me and JP from @JPLamoureuxsTravelsas we take a Wildlife Walk around Norfolk Wildlife Trusts Cley Marshes reserve and see a lifetime first alongside plenty of other birds and nature. #nature #norfolk #britishwildlife
What Wildlife lives in UK Woodlands?
Переглядів 20 тис.3 місяці тому
Woodlands are one of the richest ecosystems in the world and there are still some brilliant examples of this habitat in the UK. In this video I show you some of the common animals that live within UK woodlands and share lots of interesting wildlife facts about them. #britishwildife #woodlands #nature Some of the footage used in this video was obtained using creative commons licences, the origin...
Things You Need To Know About SKYLARKS!
Переглядів 8 тис.3 місяці тому
There aren’t many sounds that are more heart warming than a singing skylark on a summers day. These streaky brown birds are found in farmland, grassland and open countryside across a lot of Europe and Asia. They live in most parts of the UK, but are resident as far south as Portugal, north into Scandinavia and as far east as Japan. They have also been introduced to New Zealand, Australia, Hawai...
Can You Believe HOW FAR these Ten Birds Migrate!?
Переглядів 4,9 тис.3 місяці тому
What causes when and where birds migrate to has been a mystery since people started to realise they flew away, rather than hibernated or sank to the bottom of ponds (that was a real theory). One thing that is becoming clearer is where different species head to. In this video I will show you where birds in the UK head to when they leave our shores. #migration #britishbirds #britishwildlife Some ...
Things you need to know about RED SQUIRRELS!
Переглядів 7 тис.4 місяці тому
Things you need to know about RED SQUIRRELS!
The Wildlife Walk Beat my Expectations!
Переглядів 5 тис.4 місяці тому
The Wildlife Walk Beat my Expectations!
How to Identify Every Species of OWL in the UK!
Переглядів 10 тис.4 місяці тому
How to Identify Every Species of OWL in the UK!
The Meadow was FLOODED but that didnt scare off the Wildlife!
Переглядів 5 тис.5 місяців тому
The Meadow was FLOODED but that didnt scare off the Wildlife!
Things you need to know about CURLEWS!
Переглядів 7 тис.5 місяців тому
Things you need to know about CURLEWS!
People think these Animals Hibernate - BUT THEY DONT!
Переглядів 6 тис.5 місяців тому
People think these Animals Hibernate - BUT THEY DONT!
I Almost Gave Up looking for this RARE BIRD!
Переглядів 4,8 тис.5 місяців тому
I Almost Gave Up looking for this RARE BIRD!
These BIRDS are LIVING LONGER than ever before!
Переглядів 6 тис.6 місяців тому
These BIRDS are LIVING LONGER than ever before!
Did you know that these ANIMALS Hibernate?
Переглядів 6 тис.6 місяців тому
Did you know that these ANIMALS Hibernate?
A WAXWING WINTER - Why are there lots of about this year?
Переглядів 7 тис.6 місяців тому
A WAXWING WINTER - Why are there lots of about this year?
I got very lucky on this AUTUMN WILDLIFE WALK
Переглядів 6 тис.6 місяців тому
I got very lucky on this AUTUMN WILDLIFE WALK
Do FISH still LIVE DOWN THIS DRAIN?
Переглядів 3,9 тис.7 місяців тому
Do FISH still LIVE DOWN THIS DRAIN?
Things you need to know about LAPWINGS!
Переглядів 7 тис.7 місяців тому
Things you need to know about LAPWINGS!
Things you need to know about ROOKS!
Переглядів 12 тис.7 місяців тому
Things you need to know about ROOKS!
What lives along this Norfolk Chalk Stream?
Переглядів 4,5 тис.7 місяців тому
What lives along this Norfolk Chalk Stream?
Things You Need to Know About Red-Legged PARTRIDGE!
Переглядів 13 тис.8 місяців тому
Things You Need to Know About Red-Legged PARTRIDGE!

КОМЕНТАРІ

  • @darrelltregear756
    @darrelltregear756 45 хвилин тому

    I used to watch them flying as kid and I used to imagine them has mini jet fighter in a dog fight.

  • @johnfrancis4401
    @johnfrancis4401 3 години тому

    Not enough insects. Nothing for them to eat.

  • @TobyH.
    @TobyH. 5 годин тому

    They are such pretty birds. I don't think I've ever seen any in the USA, but I know they exist here in some states.

  • @user-tk8sf5im8s
    @user-tk8sf5im8s 10 годин тому

    Get it!!!!!!

  • @user-uc4oq5hj3v
    @user-uc4oq5hj3v 15 годин тому

    just found one today a baby one,15 minutes later she start eating from my hand !now i live in a village in an appartment if i raise her and make her a nest in my balcony is she gonna stay?

  • @hadz8671
    @hadz8671 День тому

    I have also seen many of these animals in my local canal. That grass snake at 08:04 looked like it has just has its dinner!

  • @Julia-zz3gl
    @Julia-zz3gl День тому

    A Roe Deer and her kids come into my garden all the time, at all hours. They are beautiful.

  • @Durka-Durka
    @Durka-Durka День тому

    In the US, robins are bigger than house sparrows.

  • @canterlevi
    @canterlevi День тому

    So do I understand correctly? This is a non-native species to the UK which has been allowed to multiply freely? Gosh, what could possibly go wrong? 🫤🙄

  • @buskingkarma2503
    @buskingkarma2503 День тому

    Thanks for this video bro,,I've been searching to identify this awesome little bird that I keep seeing when I'm crossing a small bridge in the hedges along the small river it crosses every day just lately,in the small village we live here in the West of Scotland! They are so cute!👌 and now I know what they are called!👍

  • @vivienneoneill5400
    @vivienneoneill5400 2 дні тому

    They used to come in my kitchen and wait by the fridge for me to give them some meat, I really love them love from Tasmania Australia 🇦🇺 ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

  • @vivienneoneill5400
    @vivienneoneill5400 2 дні тому

    And Australia and Tasmania. ❤❤❤❤love them.

  • @user-cn7bz3nn8l
    @user-cn7bz3nn8l 2 дні тому

    Did you say the male incubates at night"" Most doves and pigeons it's the female that sits on the eggs at night,,

  • @adammitchell3462
    @adammitchell3462 2 дні тому

    I hate these damned things...they are the scurge of my local lake...ive been attacked be these demons while on my kayak,they almost killed me! Screw them,way too many of these nasty things,they leave piles of their poop on the shore,they suck!

  • @adammitchell3462
    @adammitchell3462 2 дні тому

    I know these Damned animals are the absolute scurge of my local lake. Theyre mean as hell and will attack immediately! If your like me and fish from a kayak,youd better watch out,these things are very aggressive and will attack outta nowhere. Seriously,if your on a boat,youd better watch out because these animals will kill you .

  • @malcolmabram2957
    @malcolmabram2957 2 дні тому

    Motor pikes are the fastest species of fish. The cormorant did well to even catch it.

  • @mikeharrington5593
    @mikeharrington5593 2 дні тому

    Sadly it appears there are not enough insects in the UK for a nesting pair to sustain the raising of a brood. They nested in my gable end for 2 consecutive years; each time 2 young were ejected from the nest before they fledged - I conclude starvation of young, the birds didn't return for a third year.

  • @MSM4U2POM
    @MSM4U2POM 2 дні тому

    One of these was soaring above my house just a few minutes ago. Magnificent fellow - what a sight!

  • @wendy70ish
    @wendy70ish 2 дні тому

    I’ve only just starting feeding a grey squirrel . He’s simply adorable . They did not hitch a ride , they were brought here . Please NO CULLING …

  • @bradjones5107
    @bradjones5107 3 дні тому

    You forgot, DELICIOUS!

  • @dantehughes897
    @dantehughes897 3 дні тому

    Just rescued and released a jackdaw, i miss him so deeply i hope he comes back full grown with a nice girlfriend

  • @michaelangelo7511
    @michaelangelo7511 3 дні тому

    Sweet little birds.

  • @alisonstephens8691
    @alisonstephens8691 3 дні тому

    Got a video off one been in my garden for two day

  • @S.O.Sstateofstupor
    @S.O.Sstateofstupor 3 дні тому

    I just rescued one want to know if i can teach him his name

  • @robertrobert175
    @robertrobert175 4 дні тому

    Unbelievable. Worst bird ever. I wish they were never brought to America. I catch and dispatch 80 to 100 per week this time of year. 25 to 30 in the winter. I live in a mid size city, not a grain mill. We had many song birds, of many types when I was a child. Then sparrows took over.

  • @alexleeman8277
    @alexleeman8277 4 дні тому

    Wrens are sweet little things, looked like flying marbles when they fledged. Very vocal chicks 🐣

  • @mtb5778
    @mtb5778 4 дні тому

    excellent photography

  • @Erebus.666.
    @Erebus.666. 4 дні тому

    Tasty little beasts. Just add garlic butter, nice...

  • @HookBeak_66
    @HookBeak_66 4 дні тому

    Liam your presentations are a joy to watch, like the birds you observe, it's short & sweet with plenty of detail, even down to the years/months the oldest bird has lived to. At the end of this video, I particularly liked, the final bird calls that left their comments, & the way you visually responded to them looking up... Nice touch.

  • @patriciaterry5539
    @patriciaterry5539 5 днів тому

    Got some great shots of Canadian Geese in my area! Love them

  • @radiotowers1159
    @radiotowers1159 5 днів тому

    No house Martins this year or last ,just one pair of Swifts..disappointed

  • @neilduran3586
    @neilduran3586 5 днів тому

    I've visited Sheringham a few times and didn't Adders lived there. They are a beautiful snake!

  • @stergemoster1785
    @stergemoster1785 5 днів тому

    On top of the insects diminishing, another cause for their decline in some regions might also be less access to clay for building nests, especially if rivers are built up with concrete as river banks may be where they can find the clay. So providing them with nesting opportunities can be very beneficial too.

  • @user-oz2wn3lj5s
    @user-oz2wn3lj5s 5 днів тому

    এতো ভালো জালা বাড়া কারোর মেয়ের সাথে পেরেম কোরলাম না তবে শুনেছি গোরিব দের সোরে যেতে হয়

  • @Daindrais
    @Daindrais 5 днів тому

    What about the tail pull, what’s that about?

  • @dickdastardly5534
    @dickdastardly5534 5 днів тому

    Great informative video - many thanks 👍🏻

  • @Seoras111
    @Seoras111 5 днів тому

    Because of their appearance, I always liken hourse martins as little flying orkas.

  • @koko-no
    @koko-no 5 днів тому

    what's the relics and main stats, I need?

  • @robertlane913
    @robertlane913 6 днів тому

    I feed my local wood pigeon with lead pellet 🍗

    • @AShotOfWildlife
      @AShotOfWildlife 6 днів тому

      Lol, imagine going to the comments of a youtube fact file about a bird to brag that you shoot them.

  • @sisyphusgreek348
    @sisyphusgreek348 6 днів тому

    Brilliant thanks.

  • @philipmurphy2
    @philipmurphy2 6 днів тому

    Always lovely to have wildlife content on UA-cam

  • @gordonneverdies
    @gordonneverdies 6 днів тому

    A couple made a nest in the hood of my hunting jacket hanging out on the deck. We can hear the male singing while momma hopps around the deck and brings the babies food. Eastern USA.

  • @philiptaylor7902
    @philiptaylor7902 6 днів тому

    Thanks Liam. Sadly I don’t think I’ve seen a single Housemartin this year.

  • @neilbain8736
    @neilbain8736 6 днів тому

    They're all over the place. I first learned what they were called form a friend on a golf course. They have to be amongst the most common birds.

  • @geoff6942
    @geoff6942 6 днів тому

    Its terrible to witness the House Martin decline at my south Birmingham location. 28 years ago, there were 30 plus nests, (not all used), above a terrace of shops. In 2024, there are only approx 6 birds returning. Most of the old nests have dropped off. Only one new nest has been constructed during recent years.

  • @alankennedy86
    @alankennedy86 6 днів тому

    Thank you for the video.

  • @chandimakirinde2538
    @chandimakirinde2538 7 днів тому

    Thank you so much for your video it was very helpful for me as I’ve got a fallen little bird which was brought to me by my husband from a vehicle yard ,it was around 1 week old, and I reared it at home , feeding boiled eggs and soaked cat food for 2 three days, then it began to scratch its body and I searched internet for and found out it is because of the food I have given I was so worried.But luckily I found a bird food , which was ideal, and now this little birdy has grown feathers and had opened his eyes now I know it’s a great Tit.I live in Japan and I’m hoping to release this bird as soon as he can depend himself.Once again thanks to your video.❤