Is Loire Valley Sand Martin Bank Nesting Swarms happening right now?
As of today, peak season now, through ~June 20. Earth Exhibit tracks the live conditions and flags it the moment it is on.
Every spring riparian sand martins (Riparia riparia) excavate nest tunnels in soft vertical sand and gravel banks along the Loire.
Large colonies concentrate at a few stable banks, producing intense aerial activity as adults shuttle insects and nest materials during the breeding season.
Where to see it
A taste of where to see it. The full map, exact coordinates and the best timing for each spot live in the app.
| Viewing spots |
|---|
| Saumur - Loire Sandbanks (east of Saumur) |
| Gennes-Val-de-Loire Sand Cliffs (Gennes) |
| + 1 more spot, with exact coordinates and timing, in the app → |
This is the short version
This page shows a taste. The app has the full list of where to see this, the exact timing, and live conditions for 1,000+ natural phenomena worldwide, so you know the moment one is genuinely worth the trip.