STRANGE to hear about the reduced numbers of house martins in the southern part of our region (HAS, July 1 and 5), but I can testify there is a thriving and apparently larger population in and around our allotments at New Hill, Sacriston, this year.
Unusually, they often take time-outs from feeding by perching on our fences – something usually associated with our local wagtails, wrens and sparrows.
Maybe the warmer weather has encouraged them to venture further north or the dry months have meant a shortage of moist building material in their normal habitats.
B Jackson, Sacriston, Durham
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