Sand Martin

A small brown martin nesting in tunnels in sandy banks.

A recording has not been added yet. Use the identification notes below for now.

FIELDCRAFT · FIND WITH CARE

Finding guide

Season first

Choose the season, find the habitat, then watch patiently. Search guidance is not a measure of rarity or conservation status.

When to go: Mainly spring to autumn
Where to start: View shallows, rocks and riverbanks from bridges and public riverside paths.
What to do when you arrive: In spring and summer, watch small brown hirundines above water from riverside paths and check the brown breast band. Stay away from holes in sandy banks.

Habitat and behaviour reference: BirdWatch Ireland ↗ · The practical steps are editorial advice based on the references, not live sightings.

SPECIES NOTESSpecies notes

Brown above and white below with a distinct brown breast band and shallowly forked tail. No white rump or red throat.

Rivers, streams, lakeshores and flowing-water margins.

Feeds over water in flocks and excavates nest tunnels in sandy faces.

Mainly spring to autumn

View shallows, rocks and riverbanks from bridges and public riverside paths.

Reference photos do not show every sex, age, season or geographic form; use the identification notes too.

COMMUNITY SIGHTINGS

0 public sightings

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No public sightings yet.
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