Sand Martins on the River Otter
There’s a Sand Martin colony on the River Otter. It’s a consolation prize for me, as there are no Otters here at the moment.
They are exceptionally fast flyers and for a moment I think I’ve forgotten all the practice I did photographing Swifts, Swallows and House Martins in the last two years. Then, like riding a bicycle, it all comes flooding back to me:
![Sand Martins - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Sand-Martins-The-Hall-of-Einar--725x484.jpg)
They have long wings and a tiny tail and go like a rocket:
![Sand Martins - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Sand-Martins-The-Hall-of-Einar-3-725x408.jpg)
Here’s a flying sequence I made into a composite shot to show their flying style and body and wing shape:
![Sand Martins - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Sand-Martins-The-Hall-of-Einar-2-725x408.jpg)
I can’t wait to go and see them again, even if there are no Otters on the Otter. It’ll take a while before I get another photograph as good as this one:
And if you’re wondering what that fast-flying insect-eating bird is, here’s my handy guide: