h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Look at this one, got real character, that one.
http://users.tinyonline.co.uk/bigh/bigh/photoarchive14.htm

Now really .

House martins are early? Or was I just late seeing them last year. Whatever, they're welcome back.

I couldn't access the page via the link provided, but I have a question.
Are house martins like our purple martins? They are wonderful mosquito-eating birds here!

Good to hear from you Lady C.

That link to the pylons site doesn't work for me anymore either - I think the site must have been taken down.

Your purple martins look more exotic. Our house martins go for mossies too but among lots of other insects. Do yours nest on buildings? All my ancient book says is holes not excavated by themselves and not using mud. Our swallows and house martins make mud nests on buildings.

These martins of 'mine' nest under the eaves just outside my window. They've come back to last year's nest but have to repair the holes in it the sparrows made during the winter.

If I don't get the pump fixed for my fountain in my little pond, I'll need martins to eat the mosquitoes.

Martins are really useful to have around. And bats. I'm still waiting for my bat house.

And Hyp - so good to hear from you too.

We've had a spell of really fine, warm weather so I wouln't be surprised if the mossies were out soon here. They're never bad enough to sleep under nets though - are they with you?

We moved my parents bat box recently, I should find out if they've seen any using it.

People here put up large "condos" for the purple martins. The chimney swifts and swallows put mud nests in the eaves of buildings. We had one try to put a nest in the recessed light fixture on the porch one time.
I have no idea what happened to Lord C.'s bat house plans. He built one for son in law, but no one else got one........