Rovaniemi’s sand martin hotel remains vacant

A nest box complex built for the critically endangered sand martin on a Rovaniemi railway bridge has so far failed to attract any birds, Yle reports.

The Finnish Transport Agency installed the 40-unit structure last autumn after discovering sand martins nesting in cracks in the bridge’s stone supports. Although the birds have been seen flying near the site, none have moved into the new boxes this season.

Local birdwatcher Ismo Kreivi says the species often takes time to adopt artificial sites and may still colonise the structure in future years. He notes sand martins prefer to nest in groups, so a single pair could eventually draw others.

Kreivi highlights a broader issue: construction sand piles and trenches frequently lure sand martins to attempt nesting, only for work to later disturb or destroy the sites. He urges contractors to cover such areas with tarps to prevent the birds from settling.

Sand martins are strictly protected under Finnish law, and their nests cannot be destroyed without a permit. The species’ decline is partly driven by the loss of suitable nesting sites such as steep sand banks.