Public Event at Wichita Via Christi Roost
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NancyinEnidOK
- Posts: 158
- Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2011 4:06 pm
- Location: Oklahoma/Enid
I drove up for this event last night and wow, what a spectacle! It is about 120 miles one way and was worth every inch. The only "negative" is that about an hour or so after they roosted, there was a horrific lightning/rain/wind situation that came up from the south and from the weather reports it sounded like the storm area could include the roost. Does anyone have any information on whether the roost was affected?
Nancy
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NancyinEnidOK
- Posts: 158
- Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2011 4:06 pm
- Location: Oklahoma/Enid
eah415, thanks for letting me know! I've been worried about them all day and it is great to know that all is well.
Nancy
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PMCA MEMBER
I live in Wichita and have never seen it. I am new at all this so please excuse my stupidity. How long does this event last? How many bird are we talking avout here? How much longer will my PM's be around?
PMCA Member
2010- 5 pairs
2011- 5 pairs, 14 fledged
2012- 6 pairs, 14 fledged
2010- 5 pairs
2011- 5 pairs, 14 fledged
2012- 6 pairs, 14 fledged
First of all ,I am sure you are not stupid, but not aware. It has been going on for about a month and will go on for about another two weeks. It is hard to tell how many birds we are talking about but, there are thousands. If you like Purple Martins you need to see this. This is at the intersection of Murdock and Santa Fe on the northwest corner. Just park in the parking lot, and wait till 8:15 pm. It is over at about 9:10 pm. Last night there were about one hundred people there watching them,so come join in on the fun.
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Fredmyyster
- Posts: 280
- Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2008 12:30 pm
- Location: Tennessee/ Nashville
Wished i could witness that !
Empty POOLS are a Delight ! !
I have been going to the roost a few times a week for over three weeks now and you should really go see it if you can. Ever since they published a article in last Sunday's paper about the roost, their have been quite a few people up there. My oldest brother who has lots of "House Birds" even went to check it out the other night and said the parking lot was full. Their are plenty of other places to park and view the PM's if the parking lot gets crowded. I have a satellite image of the roost posted in this thread http://purplemartin.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=20731 . Go and Enjoy the PM's.
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NancyinEnidOK
- Posts: 158
- Joined: Mon Feb 28, 2011 4:06 pm
- Location: Oklahoma/Enid
eah415, thank you for sharing these photos!
Nancy
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DebA
- Posts: 1941
- Joined: Tue May 04, 2010 7:43 am
- Location: Pratt County/Kansas
- Martin Colony History: Start 2009 with one pair. Upgraded from S&K houses to two Trendsetter 12's with gourds beneath in 2013. I have experienced job, pet, and parental losses since '13. The Purple Martins lift my spirits and remind me how life continues forward by flying their little selves from Brazil back to my yard. As one forum person once told me, chin up DebA, look at the martins. Danger all around but yet they soar in the sky without a care in the world.
That was one of the most exciting things I have witnessed with nature! We went a couple of nights ago. We have an eighty mile commute and I have got to go again.
All of a sudden there are 30,000 (someone estimates that, I have no idea how, but I believe it) birds above you. Then they seem to peel off in layers and rocket themselves at the trees. Incredible. Best free "date night" I've ever had.
All of a sudden there are 30,000 (someone estimates that, I have no idea how, but I believe it) birds above you. Then they seem to peel off in layers and rocket themselves at the trees. Incredible. Best free "date night" I've ever had.