I noted that colony Ian, earlier in the season and counted 25 active holes. Interestingly it seems that if the main colony is affected by quarry operations then they use these subsidiary faces. Last year 2009, Abercoed was deserted yet we found about 40+pairs in the main quarry. The previous year,2008 the Abercoed quarry and the sub quarry held pairs which were deserted, apart from one or two holes , when we looked last year.
Sand martin is the only hirundine which seems to be here in normal numbers altho' housemartins were investigating the new Jacobi Jayne boxes on the house today. The bare mud patches are prepared also but if they don't take to these expensive new des res's then I'll want my money back!