Tim Francis installs a new martin house with the help of Lena Gallitano.
	The purple martin colony at the NC State University Club.

Wake County Audubon Society is working with the North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences and the Purple Martin Preservation Alliance to establish new breeding sites for Purple Martins within Wake County.

Purple Martins (Progne subis) are the largest member of the swallow family in North America, measuring 7 1/2 inches (19 cm) long and weighing 1.9 ounces (55 grams). Three races (subspecies) are recognized: Progne subis subis breeding in eastern North America and eastern Mexico; Progne subis hesperia breeding in the deserts of Arizona, western Mexico, and Baja California; and Progne subis arboricola breeding along the Pacific coast of the United States and Canada, and in the Rocky Mountains. Purple Martins spend the non-breeding season mostly in Brazil, then migrate to North America to nest. Most folks are quite familiar with this species, which in the eastern U.S. is now wholly dependent on human-supplied nest houses.

Due to this dependence, the above entities have agreed to work together to expand the number of nest site locations. Houses have been in place at Anderson Point Park since early 2002, with no “lessees” moving in yet (although a few birds have inspected). We began broadcasting dawn songs in March 2006 in the hopes of attracting male scouts. As of May 18, 2006, there has only been one individual observed at the Anderson Point Park houses. Houses were erected at three new sites in west Raleigh; in 2003 at the NCSU University Club, in 2004 at the Prairie Ridge Environmental Learning Center property of the NC Museum, and the NC Art Museum. Birds began occupying the new NCSU University Club quarters that first spring and then expanded into unfilled cavities in 2004. Purple Martins have occupied the site ever since. Houses were erected a bit too late in the spring at the other facilities, however, Prairie Ridge hosted a small colony in 2005. Unfortunately, they did not return in 2006. Plans are underway to place houses at Lake Benson.

In addition, the long-standing site at the junction of Western Boulevard and Buck Jones Road (behind the Hardee’s Restaurant) is being dismantled, due to new building construction. It is hoped that birds from this site will move to some of the new sites. These houses will be removed over time, from 2005-2006.

The group also plans to band birds at various colonies to attempt to monitor any intercolony movements, and acquire data on other life history traits (how long do they live, here; how faithful are the birds to these new sites, etc.). In 2004 we began banding some nestlings at the “Hardee’s” site (see photos). In the future we also plan to use radio telemetry to learn more about local, breeding season movements.

2007 was declared by Wake Audubon to be the Year of the Purple Martin! Click here to see more details about that year.

For further information, contact John Connors, John.Connors@ncmail.net – NC Museum of Natural Sciences, Wake Audubon Board; or Tim Francis, tfrancis1@nc.rr.com – Purple Martin Preservation Alliance.

For questions about banding, contact John Gerwin, John.Gerwin@ncmail.net – NC Museum of Natural Sciences and Wake Audubon Board; or Susan Campbell, ncaves@earthlink.net – NC Museum of Natural Sciences Research Affiliate.

For information about the Purple Martin Preservation Alliance, visit: www.purple-martin.org.

To learn about one of the largest purple martin roosts in the area, in Manns Harbor, N.C., visit www.purplemartinroost.com.