Grumpy Start to the Season

It’s Spring and that means that many wild birds that spent their winter somewhere warm and tropical, are headed back to spend the summer breeding season up north. The tracking of migrating birds is a big deal for ornithologist around the globe. Some species are tracked more intensely, like the lovely Purple Martin. I’ve read on many bird sites that the Purple Martins that live in the eastern half of the United States rely completely upon housing that is offered by their human stewards. This is not the same as Blue Birds or Tree Swallows that take advantage of the nest boxes humans offer them. Those species also seek out natural sources for their nest sites – such as abandoned woodpecker holes. Purple Martins, a social species that breeds in colonies, rely exclusively on the communal homes provided by people!

Four years ago, I decided to take on the job of avian housing director for this social, swallow species. On a whim while shopping at the local farm store, we purchased a barn-red, 12 compartment, metal Purple Martin apartment house. Surprisingly, just days after we erected the house, these amazing birds with the cheerful chortle arrived and set up shop! I suppose that we have some prime PM Real Estate with vast open spaces over trimmed pastures and a large, three acre farm pond which is probably the most critical factor in a Purple Martin’s decision regarding where to raise their brood. I was happy to see them move in and I’ve chronicled their activities in many posts in this blog.

The following year, I purchased some basic gourds on Amazon. Robert set up a tower on which to hang them and erected it just in time for the Purple Martins’ arrival in March. Last year, we added another apartment type house which we refer to as the white house, because it is, and to differentiate it from the red house since they are essentially the same model only different colors. Several couples used the new white house to fledge their chicks last year while the red house remains quite popular and the gourds were almost full to capacity.

Each year the colony of birds that spend their summer here has increased in size. For that reason, and because I was just itching to do something ‘birdy’ during the drab days of January this year, I purchased twelve”fancy” gourds; the kind that I thought were only for those really serious Purple Martin People. These gourds have front porches and easy access ports for cleaning and observation. I put them together and then constantly nagged Robert to create a new tower and put it up before the birds arrived. And, he did.

Then, earlier than we expected, Purple Martins showed up on March 12th. It was cold, dark and rainy but I could still recognize that chortle sound and we were able to see two birds on the new gourd tower – going in and out, perching and flying about.

Two days later the weather took a significant turn and the temps dropped to well below freezing. I worried for the Purple Martins. It was just 20 degrees F when, as I was sitting at my desk, I saw two very dark birds land on a shepherd crook plant hanger outside my office window.

I had never seen Purple Martins come up to the house just to perch. I figured they were seeking refuge from the extreme winds which were blocked by the house. They definitely didn’t look terribly happy. In fact, they looked downright grumpy.

I worried for them as the temperature plummeted overnight to a wind chill of 11 degrees F.

Then, after a couple of frigid days, the sun finally came out and I saw the Purple Martins flying about. Whew!

Today, it is rainy, windy but above freezing and I spotted five, perhaps six, birds flying around and landing on our housing options! How Exciting!!!

With the rain and overcast conditions, I was only able to shoot through a window and across the yard about 80 feet. BI was only able to capture a couple of fuzzy images showing the deep purple swallows laying claim to their summer digs.

I am truly looking forward to observing our growing colony of these amazing, cheerful swallows.