Purple Martin Roost-Corpus

[C.C.Martins]

Mr Barrow sent me a message that a Mr Marchalonis PM landlord who hails from PA (but living here) reported a martin roost in a few oak trees near shopping center in town.
Of course went. Hes got a great eye.
Last two nights right at 8 pm, good view, parking etc. Hard to describe the thousands and thousands (I guess 30 thousand) of martins aggregating over head, as they drift in from the west. When you look up, martins drift lower, however there are layers of martins above them and more above them. The area is very big, 100 yards easy their cloud takes it all up and then some.
A few martins come in early to claim their spots, as the main bulk drift lower they wheel faster, any of the grackles or starlings in the trees start to leave, then they pour into the trees. Truely incredible!
There are mostly young birds but some SY birds in the mix. When they settle, John described it just right, they sound like locusts...very strange buzzing sound.
Noone is bugging them so I hope I can enjoy them for a good bit. I looked for signs of predation yesterday....went early...none, just poop.
Its really hard to describe, they wheel and drift in a huge cloud, settle then take off again. Seems like an impossible number for those trees, every branch is covered in buzzing martins.
Just thought I'd share what iv witnessed the last few days. Like trying to describe a sunset, cant quite capture it.
Yep, going tonight.
Tom

[Sharon - Central TX]

Tom,
We’ve visited the Austin roost a few times. Truly amazing! Maybe some of the Austin birds stopped over in CC on their way to So. America.
So glad you have the privilege of seeing the thousands of martins in one place for the last time this season. It is a site to behold.
Each year Travis Audubon in Austin holds free “Purple Martin parties” at the roost. They hand out literature to educate the public and send out announcements just prior to the two weekends they hold the parties. Prior to the parties several volunteers scout for the roost as it has been known to change locations a few times. One year the roost, for some reason, moved to Round Rock, quite a distance from the area they usually roost. It was strange they did that but the following year they moved back to the normal area.
Enjoy!!!

[C.C.Martins]

Sharon,
Spot on, I'm being selfish here....iv the whole place to myself at the moment....hahaha!

I think there are two roots, there are way too many martins flying vs what goes in the trees. I can see them wheeling and diving behind the HEB but I don't want to miss a second by driving back there.

In 2017 they were a city block east. It was smaller or the majority had left, don't know...hurricane Harvey moved them off. That year the Audubon society was there watching. It is a good idea to raise intrest.

How long do they stay in their roosts?

[Sharon - Central TX]

Tom,
I imagine they start leaving the roost sometime around the first week in August but that’s a guess on my part based on when they hold the parties. One year we went to the last one and were told the majority had left even though to our eyes there.were still thousands.
I received this in the mail today so thought I’d post it. I couldn’t copy the links at the bottom but could probably open them and send from that direct link if interested.
Sharon

Purple Martin Parties

2022 Party Dates: July 16, 23, 30, August 6, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Capital Plaza (currently roosting in trees near Target and Champs)
Free to attend, no registration required

Travis Audubon will be hosting its Purple Martin Parties, where hundreds of people congregate to watch hundreds of thousands of Purple Martins “swirl” into their roosting site. Birders and non-birders alike will be entertained by the show, so bring your family, friends, and neighbors and join us for an evening of fun.

Purple Martins begin roosting together by the thousands in early summer, as soon as their chicks leave the nest, in preparation for their migration to South America, where they live during our winter.

After dining on insects during the day and prior to settling down for the night, these highly social birds put on a spectacular aerial acrobatics show before landing in roost trees. Onlookers from previous performances described it as, “a hurricane of birds,” “way cool,” and “better than the bats!”

Binoculars are optional, but lawn chairs, cameras, and hats are highly recommended!
Please bring drinking water – it will be hot!

Want to learn more about Purple Martins? Check out the following resources:

PURPLE MARTINS W/ SHELIA HARGIS

PARKING LOT BIRDING & PURPLE MARTIN ROOST W/ JENNIFER BRISTOL

READ AND DOWNLOAD OUR PURPLE MARTIN BROCHURE HERE!

CHECK OUT AND DOWNLOAD OUR PURPLE MARTIN DISPLAY HERE!

[C.C.Martins]

That was well done by those folks. These are much smaller, but like you to my eyes, oh a whole bunch. So a couple of weeks.

I'm currently at the oso bay preserve, real quiet except for the few martins flying over head chirping. Makes me wonder if since they grew up here they come from the roost to areas they know. Guess when the roost breaks up thats my que to take the houses down.

Thanks for the flyer Sharon!
Tom

[Jones4381]

I'm going to say something very dumb Tom...ENJOY!

So this is how envy feels...Thanks for sharing the story and sometimes as you said, words and pics can't reveal the magnitude of it all.

[Martintown33]

Tom that sounds incredible! I’ve never been lucky enough to witness a huge roost like that. Must be amazing!
Rob

[C.C.Martins]

Its a nice send off gift from them, when you see the numbers of young birds, even with the hard times ahead of them gives you hope for their future. And to think this was the year I was NOT going to look for a roost...Mr Barrow drops one in our laps.

[Jones4381]

Its a nice send off gift from them, when you see the numbers of young birds, even with the hard times ahead of them gives you hope for their future. And to think this was the year I was NOT going to look for a roost...Mr Barrow drops one in our laps.

Mr. Barrow = Legend

[C.C.Martins]

Its a nice send off gift from them, when you see the numbers of young birds, even with the hard times ahead of them gives you hope for their future. And to think this was the year I was NOT going to look for a roost...Mr Barrow drops one in our laps.

Mr. Barrow = Legend

Agree.

[Sharon - Central TX]

[Mr. Barrow = Legend]

DITTO!!!