Purple Martins - waiting on their return

[Imogene]

I lovelovelove the Purple Martins!

I saw scouts early this month, so I hope they will soon be back to start raising families.




Does anyone else have Purple Martins houses?

Scout-Arrival Study

 

[Aunt Bea]

Purple Martin houses were popular along the Erie Canal.

The slow moving brackish water of the canal was an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes and the Puple Martin population along the canal was an inexpensive natural defense in combatting the problem.

This wedding cake birdhouse has been outside of the Weighlock Building/Erie Canal Museum for over 150 years, the house has been restored and maintained by museum volunteers as a nod to the Purple Martins.

 

[old medic]

I lovelovelove the Purple Martins!
Does anyone else have Purple Martins houses

No house but there hitting the feeders here in WNC

 

[Tommy]

I don't believe I've seen a single swallow, swift, or martin since I retired. I always enjoyed watching their frenetic antics.

 

[MountainRa]

when I was young. you could see Purple Martin houses everywhere. If you lived in the country you probably had one in the yard.
I tried for many years to get a Purple Martin colony established on our farm but was never successful.

I rarely see a Swift or Martin anymore either. Also see fewer bats.

 

[IrishEyes]

They should be showing up in Missouri pretty soon. I will keep my eyes out for them.
A neighbor has a nesting house for them, hopefully I will see activity over there.

 

[Imogene]

YAY!!!! Three pair of purple martins are home this morning!

Three pair were circling their houses this morning

I couldn’t get all of them in the photo because I was headed to the barn and couldn’t get my cell phone out in time. There is one sitting on top of the second house from the left. I am ecstatic. They are home.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

We had about 6 or 7 houses at a house we rented before we bought our house. All of a sudden one day, a bunch would show up. They would nest in them.