While on my regular Tuesday morning bicycle ride this morning I noticed that the trees on the north side of Archer street across from the old Tribune bulding which were part of the large late summer roost in Tulsa have been eliminated all except for one tree. I didn't count, but there were about 15 or so trees freshly cut down. Someone doesn't like purple martin roosts, apparently. Why they left one tree standing I can't imagine but they sure did a number on the others. Those on the south side of the street are still standing. It will be interesting to see how this affects the roosting pattern next year.
I have to admit that the birds were not suffering from constipation this year.
Tulsa Unroost
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Emil Pampell-Tx
- Posts: 6743
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
- Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
- Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas
I bet the martins move to the south side. That may be the best way to promote a roost is to plant trees away from where the people walk. I remember them being near hospitals & cafeterias, and that is not good.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
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Dick Sherry
- Posts: 774
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 5:30 pm
- Location: Tulsa, OK
Bob, thanks for posting that information. I will go take a look at what was done. The martins were spread out over several blocks in that area, so it will be interesting to see if they completely leave the trees next to the old Tribune building or if they continue to use them. There was a large concentration of martins a couple of blocks west of the Tribune building in trees on the north and south sides of Archer.
There was a story in the Sunday paper about development plans for that area, and creating loft apartments for downtown residential living. Going upscale may not help the martins' chances of having an undisturbed roosting area. Even if they leave the Archer area, I believe they will find another location in the downtown area for a roost because they have been somewhere around downtown since the late 1980's.
There was a story in the Sunday paper about development plans for that area, and creating loft apartments for downtown residential living. Going upscale may not help the martins' chances of having an undisturbed roosting area. Even if they leave the Archer area, I believe they will find another location in the downtown area for a roost because they have been somewhere around downtown since the late 1980's.
IMO, they probably cut them down to keep the starlings from roosting. When I was over their last year there were Large bunches starlings roosting all over that part of the city. IMO I don't think the majority of people can tell or don't know the difference, other than us Martineer's.
I see the same problem over here in OKC. Where ever the martins roost seems like they draw starlings, but the starlings don't leave for very long. For what I have observed the Starlings roosts move around quite a bit.
I see the same problem over here in OKC. Where ever the martins roost seems like they draw starlings, but the starlings don't leave for very long. For what I have observed the Starlings roosts move around quite a bit.