sand martin
Riparia riparia

Smallest of the swallow-like birds, sandy brown above

Habitat: river and gravel pit banks, sea cliffs

Localised summer visitors; usually arriving in mid-March

Completely brown upperparts, dark breast band; 11–12 cm

Aerial birds, often gathering in twittering flocks

Feed on insects, often over water; in winter roost in dense reeds

Colonial nesters in holes in sand banks, sometimes using drainage pipes

2 broods May to June