1,800 pairs of sand martins nested in Đelekovec – a conservation milestone worth celebrating

DRAVA LIFE, @Marko Lorenzo Blaslov

Đelekovec, October 1, 2025 – This year, the steep Lubenovec riverbank on the Drava River has hosted as many as 1,800 breeding pairs of sand martins (Riparia riparia) – the highest number ever recorded in this part of the Drava.

Last year, Đelekovec was declared the first Sand Martin Village in Croatia, in recognition of the community’s long-standing efforts to protect this species. The steep sandy bank of Lubenovec has been attracting hundreds of breeding pairs for years, but this season the number reached a historic record.

This remarkable success is the result of cooperation between the Municipality of Đelekovec, the Puhar Family Farm, Croatian Waters, and WWF Austria, who together found a way to align agriculture with the preservation of natural riverbanks. The result is the creation of ideal nesting conditions for sand martins.

Why are sand martins important?

Sand martins are an important indicator of river ecosystem health and highly effective natural insect hunters – during the breeding season, a single bird can eat thousands of mosquitoes per day. Their presence contributes to biodiversity and natural insect control along the Drava.

In 2018, 1,100 pairs were recorded at the Lubenovec site, while this year the number increased by 700 pairs. This growth is significant for the survival of the species and gives hope for its recovery.

This positive result in Đelekovec contrasts with regional and global trends showing a decline in sand martin populations. Globally, the species is decreasing due to the loss of natural, dynamic river habitats such as steep sandy banks, which sand martins use to dig their tunnels up to 70 cm long.

For this reason, protecting the Lubenovec riverbank and similar habitats is extremely important, while legal protection of the species remains key to its long-term survival.

Support from the local community is essential

This year’s Sand Martin Day, held on June 9, brought together residents, visitors, and researchers in educational workshops organized by the Vendi Association. The Đelekovec Primary School dedicated the entire school year to studying sand martins, integrating the topic into nearly all school subjects.

“I’m proud of this success in preserving our natural heritage along the Drava. The return of sand martins shows the power of awareness and dedication within our community. I invite other municipalities to join us in similar initiatives,” said Lara Samošćanec Kiš, Mayor of Đelekovec.

“These birds are a sign of a healthy river. The successful colony in Đelekovec shows that when we give space back to the river and its banks, nature restores itself,” said Arno Mohl, nature conservation expert from WWF Austria. “Seeing 1,800 pairs today is proof that practical conservation measures work. Restoring river dynamics, improving habitats, and raising awareness benefit both nature and people.”

Data on this year’s number of breeding pairs were collected by ornithologists Ivan Grlica and Ivan Darko Grlica.