A North East wildlife centre is asking visitors to take part in a citizen survey at its newly opened hide, to help track the movement of sand martin around the artificial bank.

The artificial bank at WWT Washington, which has space for 105 nesting pairs, was built in October last year in anticipation of the migratory birds’ return this spring.

Visitors have already been seeing lots of sand martin flying around the east end of the reserve’s Wader Lake, with many spotted perched around and going inside several of the openings, with fantastic views being had from the recently opened Vic Robins hide.

The Northern Echo: Resting sand martinResting sand martin (Image: WWT WASHINGTON)

Sand martins typically hunt and feed over the site’s Wader Lake in spring. They’ve previously been noted attempting to dig natural nesting chambers nearby in the sandy banks of the River Wear, but with no success.

It’s hoped that the newly introduced artificial bank - made from cavity blocks fitted with nesting tubes - will provide the perfect conditions for the species to finally settle and breed on the site for the first time in the site’s 49-year history.

The Northern Echo: The new artificial sand martin bank at WWT WashingtonThe new artificial sand martin bank at WWT Washington (Image: MARK WHITELOCK)

Signs so far have been promising with birds spotted taking nesting materials into the chambers. But the wetland centre are asking for the public to help monitor the species.

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WWT Washington’s reserve manager, John Gowland said: “By helping us to gather this data, people taking part in the citizen survey are a part of the global community, working to protect wetlands and the species that rely upon them.”

The sand martin bank is part of ongoing habitat management around Wader Lake, which over the last three years has already benefitted from desilting work, deepened water channels and more effective vegetation management.

This work is to improve the area for a variety of wildlife, whilst creating a more enhanced wildlife viewing experience for visitors to enjoy while at Washington Wetland Centre.