Many of you will have submitted records of breeding House Martins to our website. This morning we have counts for a total of 130 sites totalling 542 nests. Most pairs will have fledged their first brood and hopefully are well on the way to completing a second.

However there are some significant gaps. Have a look at the maps. Are there really no House Martins in the Penzance area, or Cambourne, Redruth, Portreath or Porthtowan.

In North Cornwall we apparently have none breeding in St Agnes, Perranporth, Holywell, Crantock and just one record for Newquay. The gap over Bodmin Moor is perhaps to be expected but what about Port Isaac, Camelford and Tintagel?

In the south, take a look at St Blazey, Par, Fowey, Lansallos and Polperro. Are we missing them or is the House Martin population really in that much trouble.

In another month many House Martins will be on the move, heading south towards their winter quarters, but some will maybe  on a third brood and have chicks in the nest with a few still feeding young in early October.

Please take another look round your local area to see if we can complete the picture. We really need to know what’s happening to Cornwall’s House Martins and if they really are missing from these areas, how can we encourage them to return. This link will take you to our survey page where you can submit your sightings. Every breeding record counts.