lockbreeze926
Well-known member
![Scotland Scotland](/styles/images/flags/scotland.gif)
This was passed to me (not my text or question, nor obviously photo) -
"Sand Martins on the road in France. They roll around along our lane every year during autumn migration. Is this common behaviour? Why do they do it? It's above 30C, the roads are sticky, are they oiling their wings? Deterring ticks etc? Anyone know!?"
Several responses suggest it's the equivalent of various other species sunning to deter parasites, but apparently it happens every year, on the same spot (presumably at similar temperatures, though.)
Any advance on parasite deterrence?
![1691699303631.png 1691699303631.png](https://www.birdforum.net/data/attachments/1470/1470942-8cc72504dda6254539ed59097551644b.jpg)
"Sand Martins on the road in France. They roll around along our lane every year during autumn migration. Is this common behaviour? Why do they do it? It's above 30C, the roads are sticky, are they oiling their wings? Deterring ticks etc? Anyone know!?"
Several responses suggest it's the equivalent of various other species sunning to deter parasites, but apparently it happens every year, on the same spot (presumably at similar temperatures, though.)
Any advance on parasite deterrence?
![1691699303631.png 1691699303631.png](https://www.birdforum.net/data/attachments/1470/1470942-8cc72504dda6254539ed59097551644b.jpg)