The Wall

This odd looking structure is an artificial Sand Martin nesting bank at Brockholes Wetland nature reserve. The whole site is undergoing a multi £M redevelopment and is due to open 18th April to the public. The site is just off the M6 Jnc 32 and the Sand Martin wall is the only visible structure from the Mway. The main visitor centre is hidden away out of site of the Mway. The hope is the the wall will attract the birds to come and nest. The structure has 3 box cells behind the wall which are to be backfilled with sandy material from the site. The holes have been randomly drilled to mimick a natural habitat. While the birds will be able construct their own nesting chambers a number of artificial one are to be installed in the upper levels with access for mini TV cameras. The shot was taken from the location of a proposed hide which will look out to the wall and one of the main wader habitat pools.
The wall is built in a location where Sand martins tried to nest previously in the former quarry over burden but the local badgers dug out the nests. Fingers crossed the birds like their bespoke bird hotel.