Sand Martin Bank

Does anyone have any thoughts about taking Jack’s idea to the next stage? Now would seem a good time for some sort of initiative.

Unless Jack's proposal can be fast-tracked, an option would be to propose a motion for
discussion at next month's LBC AGM. It would need a seconder plus, ideally, as much information as possible about the project (costs/ availability of materials/ labour and the extent of support required from LBC)

Any motions for the annual meeting need to be submitted (to: secretary@lincsbirdclub.co.uk) by March 6 at the latest if they are to be included on the
agenda.

If approved by the membership, Jack's venture might be too late for the 2018 season, but it
would give time for everything to be lined up for future seasons. In the meantime, there might be a chance of attracting funding from other sources. And maybe a couple of people with joinery skills might volunteer their services.

Jack - Many thanks for your enthusiasm on this project. Impressive! It's also good of Dave
Bromwich to contribute his thoughts from the LWT perspective.

Not least because of the funding element, such a project would need some discussion/ rubberstamping either from the membership (possibly at the AGM) or from the
committee (next meeting is not until July).

It thus might be too much of a tight squeeze to aim for the 2018 breeding season (the birds are probably already en route).

Perhaps some other members might also have thoughts on the proposal.

I have received plans from the person who built the Spurn bank. He says it cost roughly £1000 for the materials and took 2 joiners a weekend to build it.

Dave Bromwich, Head of Reserves at the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, just got back to me.

Jack Dawson:

I would like to ask if it would be possible to install a Sand Martin Bank at either Woodhall Spa Airfield or Kirkby-On-Bain Gravel Pits? This is in regard to a possible Lincolnshire Bird Club project in which they will fund it.

Reply from Dave Bromwich:
Hello Jack



There is an old sand martin bank at KoBGP that is badly in need of a rebuild/refurbishment. It’s on the pit to your left as you enter the nature reserve opposite the rubbish tip, about 150 metres along. I have attached a picture of its creation back in 2009, when we also created the small series of islands in the same area. It could do with a re-design, as it was built from a hard natural bank, but it eroded surprisingly quickly. Were you thinking of a concrete sill with block face and pipes? I think the site would lend itself very well to that.



Woodhall needs a bit more thinking about. There is the possibility that Western Power will be removing the pylons and overhead lines from the South Lake in the next year or so, which would allow for an extensive remodelling of the shoreline. There would be the possibility of building a sand martin bank into that work. There is also a large slope at the end of the main runway which drops into deep water, which would stand a very large artificial sand martin bank, but would not be particularly visible for visitors and could also be very expensive. We have even though that we could build in a sunken path to a buried hide close to the water level, so you could watch the martins flying straight at you! As I said – expensive – but very good!



If LBC have another few quid for a project there is a new tern island that could be easily created at the Airfield in the Horseshoe Lagoon pond, the one forward and to your left as you stand looking at the bomb.


Very happy to talk you about this, thanks very much to the LBC for the offer.


Regards

Dave


With the AGM coming up in March we will probably have to move fast if Sand Martins are to use it this year. Will keep you updated with quotes etc.

Update: Have asked Gilleard Brothers for a quote and Lincs Wildlife Trust to explore the possibility of access and/or a joint LBC/LWT project.