Houston Roost

[mgstei1]

Hi all, Ive got a single late nester left for the year out of 34 pairs with around 158 nestlings total with just a few jumpers killed by house cats.
Wonderful year and blessed with an ever increasing population.
Sevin was used for the mites along with Paulas numerous hose sprinklings in the 100deg weather here in Alvin so we both decided it helped greatly. Most gourds had 5/6 babies. 2009 will go down as great.
The parents of the loner come in around 0830 hours and feed the nestling and then are gone by 1600hrs. That is the only martins we see now other than high flybys in small groups. We both believe the parents are roosting a far distance from the gourds as they both are winded and tired when they first arrive and come back late morning and leave early afternoon.
The baby is 17 days old and we are both praying that it will make it to the roost before heading to South america.
Does anyone know for sure if the martins are starting to increase in numbers at the Houston roost?

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

I also still have one nest of martins. I didn't know that they were still feeding in that gourd, they are very protective. It sure is late for them. That nest has good parents that feed the babies enough. The heat does not bother them if they are well fed. They survived 9 record setting days of heat.

About the Houston roost, it is so large that nobody could ever know for sure if it was increasing in size or decreasing in size on a daily basis. Later, when the migration starts, then suddenly you will notice fewer birds.

Have you ever seen it? Its an awsome sight..

[Guest]

Where is the Houston Roost located? Would love to see it.

This season was amazing for me to in Livingston, Texas. An amazing number of fledglings - started with 6 pairs and at last count had over 65 adult birds that left for the staging area. (I think I read that they all stage at the bridge in Onalaska.)

It sure is quiet now - but what a great season!

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

Tom, the roost is located near downtown Houston, see this post:

http://purplemartin.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14517

[Guest]

The 2009 Houston roost is located at the KBR property again this year (as it was in 2008). The roost is located near the corner of Clinton Dr & Bringhurst St in Houston, TX -- just 3 miles east of downtown Houston.

My post from 2008 gives further details about the location:
http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... 642#121642

Enjoy!

[Guest]

I may head over to KBR tonight.

I'll be out of town Sunday so I will miss you all at KBR thast night!

Thanks for the info - I've never actually seen a roost so I am quite excited to witness in person!