This past week we have discovered that house martins can be very determined birds! Last summer to our (mostly, my) delight, house martins built a nest under the eaves above our front door. Workmen replacing roof windows and limewashing the house had strict instructions not to disturb the new family in residence.

We soon discovered the downside of having new neighbours. The gloopy and unhygienic mess left by the fledglings made it almost impossible to go in and out the door without risk of being 'bombed'. When the martins finally left to fly south, the nest was removed and the corner repainted.

Last week they were back and started building a new home. We said, "Go away!" They persisted. We hosed the nest site once, twice, five times a day — for six days. Yesterday, the house martin nesting box I ordered finally arrived, and Ken attached it under the eaves at the far end of the house. It's ready for you, little birds; please come!

This morning they were back, trying to make a nest at the original site.