 House Martin (Delichon urbicum). Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on June 3rd 2023. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on June 3rd 2023. (© David Hastings) (1/640th sec at f8. Click image for larger version) Description WS: 13.5 - 15 cm The House Martin is a small bird with glossy blue-black upper parts and pure white under parts. It has a distinctive white rump with a forked tail and white feathers covering its legs and toes. It is widely distributed in Europe, but is a summer visitor, arriving in April and leaving in October. It winters in Africa. House Martins are colonial breeders, making their mud nests on buildings, or cliff faces in undeveloped areas. They spend much of their time on the wing collecting insect prey. The House Martin has Amber status in the UK due to moderate population decline. Upwards of half a million pairs breed in the UK. Sightings | 16-Sep-2025 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 14-Sep-2025 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (75+) | | 29-Aug-2025 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 02-Jul-2025 | : | Aston, Oxon | (1) | | 06-May-2025 | : | Cannop Ponds, Gloucs | (1) |
| | 28-Sep-2024 | : | Aston, Oxon | | | 20-Sep-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 15-Sep-2024 | : | Hackpen Hill, Oxon | (1) | | 13-Sep-2024 | : | Aston, Oxon | (10) | | 25-Aug-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (30+) | | 05-Aug-2024 | : | Pagham Harbour, W. Sussex | (10+) | | 27-May-2024 | : | Whitecross Green Wood, Oxon | (3) | | 24-May-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (50+) | | 26-Apr-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 17-Apr-2024 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2+) |
| | 28-Jul-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (3) | | 02-Jun-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (100+) | | 15-May-2023 | : | Crog Hill, Oxon | (20+) | | 02-May-2023 | : | Elan Valley, Powys | (3) | | 28-Apr-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 21-Apr-2023 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (50+) |
| | 22-Jul-2022 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | | | 16-Jul-2022 | : | Chimney Meadows, Oxon | (1) | | 02-Jun-2022 | : | Chimney Meadows, Oxon | (6) | | 08-May-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (10+) | | 04-May-2022 | : | Gwenffrwd-Dinas, Ceredigion | (2) | | 29-Apr-2022 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (100+) | | 23-Apr-2022 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) |
| | 04-Oct-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (30+) | | 09-Aug-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (10+) | | 23-May-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) | | 19-May-2021 | : | Cholsey Marsh, Oxon | (1) | | 11-May-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (20+) | | 09-May-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 07-May-2021 | : | Graven Hill, Oxon | (2) | | 05-May-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 30-Apr-2021 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | |
| | 30-Sep-2020 | : | Abingdon, Oxon | (2) | | 26-Sep-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (100+) | | 04-Sep-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (150+) | | 31-Aug-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 29-Aug-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (250+) | | 21-Jul-2020 | : | Culham, Oxon | (2) | | 11-Jun-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (6+) | | 02-Jun-2020 | : | Culham, Oxon | (2) | | 17-May-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 14-May-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (10) | | 11-May-2020 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (1) | | 02-May-2020 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | |
| | 28-Sep-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 29-Aug-2019 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (12) | | 28-Aug-2019 | : | Chimney Meadows, Oxon | (3) | | 11-Aug-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 04-Aug-2019 | : | Greenham Common, Berks | (6) | | 28-Jul-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (6) | | 09-May-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (250+) | | 03-May-2019 | : | Elan Valley, Powys | (4) | | 14-Apr-2019 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (1) | | 31-Mar-2019 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1) |
| | 13-Sep-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 30-Aug-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (10) | | 28-Aug-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 25-Aug-2018 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (100+) | | 19-Aug-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 16-Aug-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 12-Aug-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 25-Jul-2018 | : | Vercors Natural Park, France | | | 24-Jul-2018 | : | Vercors Natural Park, France | | | 22-Jul-2018 | : | Vercors Natural Park, France | | | 20-Jul-2018 | : | Vercors Natural Park, France | | | 19-Jul-2018 | : | Vercors Natural Park, France | | | 27-Jun-2018 | : | Arnside, Cumbria | (10) | | 26-Jun-2018 | : | Arnside, Cumbria | (10) | | 25-Jun-2018 | : | Eskdale, Cumbria | (6+) | | 09-Jun-2018 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | (20+) | | 05-May-2018 | : | Cors y Llyn NNR, Powys | (1) | | 04-May-2018 | : | Elan Valley, Powys | (10) | | 28-Apr-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (1200+) | | 15-Apr-2018 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | |
| | 25-Sep-2017 | : | Abingdon (NE), Oxon | (2) | | 22-Sep-2017 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 19-Sep-2017 | : | Portland Bill, Dorset | (10) | | 14-Sep-2017 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (500+) | | 13-Sep-2017 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | | | 12-Sep-2017 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (500+) | | 10-Sep-2017 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (60+) | | 02-Sep-2017 | : | Abingdon (NE), Oxon | (2) | | 27-Aug-2017 | : | Abingdon (NE), Oxon | | | 23-Aug-2017 | : | Lollingdon Hill, Oxon | | | 20-Aug-2017 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (10+) | | 18-Jul-2017 | : | Greenham Common, Berks | | | 11-Jun-2017 | : | Velebits National Park, Croatia | | | 07-Jun-2017 | : | Gracac, Croatia | | | 06-Jun-2017 | : | Plitvicka Jezera National Park, Croatia | | | 05-Jun-2017 | : | Irinovac, Croatia | | | 20-May-2017 | : | Bentley Wood, Wilts | (10+) | | 06-May-2017 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (10+) | | 29-Apr-2017 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2+) | | 18-Apr-2017 | : | Standlake Common, Oxon | (2) | | 16-Apr-2017 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | |
| | 18-Sep-2016 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 11-Sep-2016 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (12+) | | 04-Sep-2016 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 28-Aug-2016 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 19-Aug-2016 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 13-Aug-2016 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (15+) | | 06-Aug-2016 | : | Greenham Common, Berks | (10+) | | 05-Jul-2016 | : | Smardale Gill NNR, Cumbria | (10) | | 01-Jun-2016 | : | Lymington-Keyhaven NR, Hants | (2) | | 13-May-2016 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (50+) | | 30-Apr-2016 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2m) | | 27-Apr-2016 | : | Port Meadow, Oxford, Oxon | (10+) | | 23-Apr-2016 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 17-Apr-2016 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 06-Apr-2016 | : | Hinksey Lake, Oxford, Oxon | (15+) |
| | 19-Sep-2015 | : | Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon | | | 13-Sep-2015 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (50+) | | 06-Sep-2015 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 30-Aug-2015 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (30+) | | 25-Jul-2015 | : | Bezbog, Bulgaria | | | 23-Jul-2015 | : | Melnik, Bulgaria | | | 22-Jul-2015 | : | Melnik, Bulgaria | | | 21-Jul-2015 | : | Melnik, Bulgaria | | | 27-Jun-2015 | : | Stanford Dingley, Berks | | | 01-Jun-2015 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (12+) | | 09-May-2015 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (3) | | 22-Apr-2015 | : | Port Meadow, Oxford, Oxon | (2) | | 19-Apr-2015 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (c.10) |
| | 23-Sep-2014 | : | Abingdon (NE), Oxon | (4) | | 21-Sep-2014 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (4) | | 13-Sep-2014 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (2) | | 10-Sep-2014 | : | Hinksey Lake, Oxford, Oxon | (5) | | 23-Jun-2014 | : | Dospat, Bulgaria | | | 23-Jun-2014 | : | Trigrad Gorge, Bulgaria | | | 21-Jun-2014 | : | Byal gradets, Bulgaria | | | 19-Jun-2014 | : | Koprivshtitsa, Bulgaria | | | 18-Jun-2014 | : | nr Mirkovo, Bulgaria | | | 01-Jun-2014 | : | Goring, Oxon | | | 25-May-2014 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (1) | | 24-May-2014 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (100+) | | 11-May-2014 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | (100+) | | 08-May-2014 | : | Strumble Head, Pembrokeshire | | | 07-May-2014 | : | Poppit Sands, Pembrokeshire | | | 05-May-2014 | : | Pant, Ceredigion | | | 04-May-2014 | : | Mwnt, Ceredigion | | | 27-Apr-2014 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 26-Apr-2014 | : | Whelford Pools, Glos | (1) |
| | 22-Sep-2013 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (4) | | 21-Sep-2013 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | (1) | | 14-Sep-2013 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 08-Sep-2013 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 05-Sep-2013 | : | Abingdon (NE), Oxon | | | 26-Jun-2013 | : | How Hill NNR, Norfolk | | | 24-Jun-2013 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | | | 22-Jun-2013 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | (2) | | 16-May-2013 | : | Hinksey Lake, Oxford, Oxon | | | 01-May-2013 | : | The Camargue, France | | | 25-Apr-2013 | : | Sault, France | |
| | 29-Apr-2012 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | |
| | 14-May-2011 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | | | 02-May-2011 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 19-Apr-2011 | : | Bryher, Isles of Scilly | |
| | 27-Jun-2010 | : | Vienne, France | | | 25-Jun-2010 | : | The Brenne, Loire Valley, France | | | 24-Jun-2010 | : | The Brenne, Loire Valley, France | | | 09-May-2010 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | |
| | 16-Aug-2009 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 01-May-2009 | : | Burgess Field, Oxon | | | 12-Apr-2009 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 04-Mar-2009 | : | Fuerteventura, Canary Islands | | | 03-Mar-2009 | : | Fuerteventura, Canary Islands | |
| | 07-Sep-2008 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 06-Jun-2008 | : | High Newton, Northumberland | | | 02-Jun-2008 | : | Seahouses, Northumberland | | | 18-May-2008 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 10-Apr-2008 | : | Hinksey Lake, Oxford, Oxon | |
| | 30-Sep-2007 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 23-Sep-2007 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 27-Aug-2007 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 11-May-2007 | : | Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon | | | 07-May-2007 | : | Dorgali, Sardinia | | | 29-Apr-2007 | : | Cagliari, Sardinia | | | 13-Apr-2007 | : | Otmoor, Oxon | | | 11-Apr-2007 | : | Abingdon (NE), Oxon | |
| | 08-Oct-2006 | : | Radley Lakes, Oxon | | | 25-Aug-2006 | : | Tophill Low, E. Yorks | |
| | 14-Aug-2005 | : | Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk | | | 18-May-2005 | : | Mertola, Portugal | | | 17-May-2005 | : | Ludo Marsh, Portugal | |
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