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Purple martins eagerly awaited each spring
A swallow species, purple martins begin returning to North America along the Gulf Coast in January, and reports from Alabama communities are watched by martin enthusiasts nationally in an online data base - at purplemartin.org -- maintained by the Purple Martin Conservation Association (PMCA), a nonprofit conservation organization. The earliest arriving martin in Alabama this year was reported in Fairhope on January 13 - a very early bird - followed on Jan. 21 by a report from Summerdale. Two reports were made Jan. 22, one each from Theodore and Mobile. Here in Clarke County, The Democrat thinks the arrival of martins so important that they are reported on the front page each year. This year, Sammy Hutto reported martins at his Chance home on Jan. 29 and Larry Newsom saw them at his Helwestern home the next morning, Jan. 30.
Purple martins nest in colonies in gourds hung from large racks and in multi-compartment bird houses placed in open areas in yards statewide. Adult male purple martins are a glossy blue-black in color, which they obtain at two years of age. Females are a bit drab, with a gray breast One year old martins - so called "sub adults" - begin arriving 10 to 12 weeks after the older birds. The younger birds are more easily attracted to new housing locations. The term "scout" is a misnomer, according to the PMCA. These earliest arrivals are simply experienced older martins that have made the journey before and are eager to reclaim their housing. As a species, purple martins are relatively common throughout Alabama, according to the American Breeding Bird survey. But longterm trends are a bit worrisome to hobbyists, showing a slight, but continuing, decline in populations throughout the state, with the exception of the far north-west corner.
Among innovations are deeper compartments to better protect nestlings from rain and from predators, and specially-shaped entrance holes designed to admit martins while restricting European starlings, an invasive, non-protected species. The number one tip from the PMCA for attracting martins: Purple martins are swallows of the open sky and prefer housing with at least several open flyways. Place housing in the most open space available, but where the colony can be enjoyed and monitored. Much more information about purple martins can be obtained from the Purple Martin Conservation Association - which is focused on aiding martins and "landlords" -- including a products catalog and information booklet, with advice on attracting and managing a colony, and data sheets to participate in Project Martin Watch, a national effort in which participants monitor nests and mail information to the PMCA at season's end.
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