Since then, several people have been driving around trying to find their new location. It was finally found by Penny, a bird rehabber who works for Kathy Rogers at Rogers Wildlife Rehab Center in Hutchins, TX. Penny had been driving around every evening for many days and needless to say, she was VERY excited when she followed a small group of Martins to the HUGE roost! The new roost location is in the parking lot of a AMF Bowling Alley on 1950 Plaza Dr. Garland, TX 75041.
From I-635 E take Exit 11B for NW Hwy toward Shiloh Rd (go east on NW Hwy) for 0.5 mile, then turn right at Plaza Dr (sign says Market Place Dr) for 0.1 mile to AMF Bowling on your right. The Martins will roost in the trees on your left as you drive into the parking lot. See the Google satellite view below.
I went there yesterday evening and watched as the Martins first came in and perched on the Power Wires on NW Hwy, then swarmed and finally landed in the parking lot trees. There was a storm arriving from the south so the Martins settled down quicker than normal. I didn't get as many good pictures as I wanted but I'll post a couple of stills here.
I'll be going back to take more pictures tomorrow evening and I'll post them if they are useful. Louise, if there are some specific views you would like me to take of the Martins, let me know at [email protected] .
Please view the short video by clicking on the link below. This will give you a much better feel for what a Martin Roost is like. The video is DVD quality, so be patient as it buffers.
http://www.cybergus.com/videos/MartinRo ... 1-09HQ.wmv
and great video. The characteristic 'hissing steam' sound of a martin roost is awesome. I like to cup my ears to really pick up the sound when visiting a roost, it cuts out the background noises. Many of the historic papers or articles that discuss roosts mention this sound, which is mostly martins growling to other martins, "don't sit on me!"
That video gave me the shivers. That was amazing and beautiful!