Purple Martins on the Way!

Purple Martin house at Wild Bird Rescue

Spring is just around the corner, so it's time to get outside. Spring migration is just getting started, and right now at least, the weather is moderating, so it is a good time to check out the birds.

A lot of bird activities are scheduled over the next few weeks, and some other bird-related activities are going on, and I will post about those, but let's start with the arrival of purple martins.

Purple Martins will be coming into town soon. We usually have scouts arriving in early February. The Purple Martin Conservation Association keeps a record of scout reports each year, and a number of reports have already been made. In fact, there is a report already posted on January 16 in North Richland Hills. What does that mean for you? If you have purple martin houses, get them cleaned out and ready. The hard part is keeping out house sparrows and starlings until the purple martins start moving in. You might plug the entrances until you see a scout and then unblock the opening.

I love the robotic sounds of these birds in the summer. Enjoy!

Good birding!

Ready for Purple Martins?

Purple martin photo courtesy of Dori on Wikimedia Commons


If you have a purple martin house or plan to put up a purple martin house, now is the time.





According to the North Texas Bird and Wildlife Club checklist, purple martins begin to arrive in mid-February. One was spotted Friday at Wild Bird Rescue, where they do maintain a martin house. A local purple martin expert, Mr. Ambrose, reported on the Purple Martin Conservation Association website a scout on February 20. Many other sightings in the last few days in north central Texas are also noted.

Although referred to as "scouts" the early returning birds are older birds, returning to their previous nesting sites.

Most people believe purple martins eat mosquitoes. Not so, despite what many of the boxes say that contain purple martin houses. Purple martins do eat flying insects; however, martins feed primarily during the day and mosquitoes are most active at night. Purple martins eat pretty much any flying insect, bug or spiders floating in the air.

If you want to encourage animals that eat mosquitos, put up a bat box. Bats eat a lot of mosquitoes.

Regardless of their diet, purple martins are beautiful birds that can add a lot of enjoyment to your yard.

Good birding!