Roosting at the Highland Mall site in Austin seems to be at a peak. I've seen them twice before tonight several years ago...what a site...martins truely do fill the air. I'll try to take some pictures to post when I take the kids to see this wonder.
For more details about the roost, please go to the PMCA home page, click on "Research" then "Pre-Migratory Roosts" then click on the Austin site on the map. The description was submitted tonight and should be posted within the next 3-5 days.
If you get the chance, check it out. They start swarming around 8:15pm and settle-in for roost by dark. Truely amazing to watch. I have no idea how many Martins may be roosting at this site, but it is a large, established roost near the SE corner of the mall in seven live oak trees that run along the mall near the entrance between Foleys and Dillards.
Best regards to all,
Burt
Austin TX Highland Mall Roost
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Laverne
- Posts: 2216
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Hi Burt.
Sounds like the Purple Martins are promoting malls and Foley's stores this season.
I'm sure you've been reading about the Sharpstown Mall in SW Houston. It is located in a mall parking lot near Foley's in 7 live oak trees.
I have been trying to catch the morning dispersal of the Sharpstown Roost on radar. I have been unsuccessful so far - but, I did see the dispersal of the Austin Roost on Saturday morning. And, I think there is another one near San Antonio.
A premigratory roost is truly an awesome experience that I believe every Purple Martin Landlord/lady should see. Please make the effort to go to your nearest roost - you won't regret it!!
Sounds like the Purple Martins are promoting malls and Foley's stores this season.
I'm sure you've been reading about the Sharpstown Mall in SW Houston. It is located in a mall parking lot near Foley's in 7 live oak trees.
I have been trying to catch the morning dispersal of the Sharpstown Roost on radar. I have been unsuccessful so far - but, I did see the dispersal of the Austin Roost on Saturday morning. And, I think there is another one near San Antonio.
A premigratory roost is truly an awesome experience that I believe every Purple Martin Landlord/lady should see. Please make the effort to go to your nearest roost - you won't regret it!!
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
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Guest
Tonight at my H-E-B as I was walking to my car to unload groceries at about 8. I saw about 100 martins circle and land in the live oaks in the middle of the parking lot. I didn't stick around (cold stuff) to see if more landed and I didn't have my binocs. I'd like to go back and stay for at least 30 minutes next time and see how many show up. I did also see a scissor tail flycatcher.
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Laverne
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
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- Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
Well, Katherine - you will just have to go back to HEB tonight. Sounds like roost activity to me... Let us know what you discover.
The other morning, I was trying to see the dispersal of the Sharpstown Roost on radar. When, I couldn't see it and decided it was too late - I switched over to Austin/San Antonio radar and watched a gigantic donut disperse from Austin. It looked as if the entire city was a roost.
Very interesting...
The other morning, I was trying to see the dispersal of the Sharpstown Roost on radar. When, I couldn't see it and decided it was too late - I switched over to Austin/San Antonio radar and watched a gigantic donut disperse from Austin. It looked as if the entire city was a roost.
Very interesting...
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
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apundt-TX
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2022-1 pair
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Laverne,
That donut on the radar could also be the bats coming in from there late night work. Austin has one of the largest Mexican Freetail Bat colonies under Toen Lake Bridge. Every evening people line up the bridge to watch them leave in the evening.
A.P.
That donut on the radar could also be the bats coming in from there late night work. Austin has one of the largest Mexican Freetail Bat colonies under Toen Lake Bridge. Every evening people line up the bridge to watch them leave in the evening.
A.P.
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Laverne
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
- Location: TX/Alvin
- Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
You are correct about the bats, A.P. - just one thing: The bats come "in" every morning - the Purple Martins go "out".
I thought it was interesting to see and I'd like to try to catch it again because I thought I could detect several others that were not nearly so obvious as the Austin area.
I thought it was interesting to see and I'd like to try to catch it again because I thought I could detect several others that were not nearly so obvious as the Austin area.
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
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Guest
Sorry y'all. What I saw the other day at HEB was a large group of starlings. 
They eventually moved over to some power lines and I counted about 250 of them. If only you could use a pellet gun at a busy retail intersection w/o being hauled off to the funny farm!!!
BTW, Susanne Harm checked out the martins at Highland Mall yesterday and estimates she saw 9-10,000.
They eventually moved over to some power lines and I counted about 250 of them. If only you could use a pellet gun at a busy retail intersection w/o being hauled off to the funny farm!!!BTW, Susanne Harm checked out the martins at Highland Mall yesterday and estimates she saw 9-10,000.
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Laverne
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
- Location: TX/Alvin
- Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
250 STARLINGS!!!??? Sounds like you need a 12 gauge!!
I would be so-o embarrassed...
I would have never come back on here and told everybody that!!
Thanks, Katherine, for your honesty.
I would be so-o embarrassed...
I would have never come back on here and told everybody that!!Thanks, Katherine, for your honesty.
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
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Guest
Need to get a pair of binocs to carry in the car ALL the time. Maybe I need to clean my glasses? Oh well, I plan to check out the Highland Mall Martins either this weekend or next week. Maybe we'll see you there.
p.s. There were 4 scissor-tailed flycatcher fledglings being fed in the middle of the parking lot. They were about 15 feet from me in the lower branches of an oak.. We'll see if my pictures turn out.
p.s. There were 4 scissor-tailed flycatcher fledglings being fed in the middle of the parking lot. They were about 15 feet from me in the lower branches of an oak.. We'll see if my pictures turn out.