judith,thanks will go and have look.

cheers geoff

In 2000 I counted 30 nestholes on the Irwell between St Boniface's and Regent Rd, all in drainpipes. I expect they are all in use. Look at the pipes in the concrete wall near the Cottenham Lane footbridge.

quick look 08.00 fairbrother st
4 mute swan
2 coot          2 blackbird
1 wren         30 sandmartin buzzin all over 

does any one know if they nest on the irwell i watched some investigating the holes in the pomona dock wall?? 
cheers geoff