Will the Sand Martin Return to Huaihe Wetland in April Next Year? | CBCGDF Biogreen

"Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development" (Biogreen) Volume 1, August 2024, published the article titled "Analysis of the Suitability of Nesting Habitats for the Sand Martin (Riparia riparia)", which provides an important reference for a deeper understanding of the breeding site selection of the Sand Martin.

 

The Sand Martin is a long-distance migratory bird that feeds on small and medium-sized insects and is listed in the "Three Haves" protected Animal List in China. However, in recent years, the population of the Sand Martin has been declining sharply throughout its breeding range. In July 2024, volunteers from the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) reported that the Sand Martin, which had nested and bred on two islands in Huaihe Wetland, Yuanshi, Hebei in previous years, did not visit as scheduled this year. According to on-site observations by volunteers, compared with the past, the river channel of Huaihe Wetland is currently without water, some cliff walls have collapsed, and there is more grass.

 

The article points out that human activities have exacerbated the loss of its habitat to a certain extent, such as river channelization, which is considered to be the most hidden and long-term threat to the sand martin, leading to the loss of sand martin habitat and the main factor in the extinction of the sand martin.

 

During the river channel regulation of Huaihe Wetland in 2020, according to the original plan, this natural habitat of the sand martin will disappear during the rectification. After the expert team of China Green Development Association coordinated clwith the construction unit and relevant departments, the construction plan was adjusted and two sand martin habitats were preserved. The sand martin once thrived in this preserved habitat, but the situation changed in 2024 - the number of sand martins that came here to breed dropped sharply, and the reason is still unclear.

 

Through a large number of literature studies and review analyses, the author of the article believes that habitat loss and degradation are the main driving factors for the decline in the number of sand martin populations, while substrate, vegetation, water, food, and external parasites are important indicators of sand martin nesting habitat selection.

 

In addition, climate change is also an important influencing factor. The article points out that the "collapse" of the sand martin population is related to the extreme drought in the wintering area, and the significant reduction in its number coincides with the extremely low rainfall in the wintering area.

 

As for whether the sand martin will visit this habitat again in early summer 2025, further attention and research are needed.

 

Original Chinese Article: ttps://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/OGbw17iGhSUckEXXQYD23A

Translator: Sara

Checked by: Richard

Editor: Sara    

Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776

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