Three pilings loom over Dungeness Bay, just north of 3 Crabs. This juvenile Bald Eagle will no longer be able to land here as the Purple Martin nest boxes are equipped with anti-predator spikes.
By Dee Renee Ericks
The tides were right!
The weather was right!
The date was right!
On March 29th, the Three Crabs Purple Martin nest boxes were installed, laying out the welcome mat for the largest of our returning swallows. The earliest recorded date for arrival of PUMA scouts is April 7th.
Despite the term "scout" used for the first returning Purple Martins, the first arriving individuals are not checking out the area to make sure it is safe for the rest of the group. They are the older martins returning to areas where they nested before. Martins returning north to breed for their first time come back several weeks later (https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Purple_Martin/).
Take a pictorial journey with the PUMA team, as we anticipate the 2024 nesting season for these flying marvels.
Nest boxes leave the parking lot on wagons for delivery to their assigned posts. Pictured: Ken Wiersema, Dan Wilson, Vince Thrutchley, and Dow Lambert Photo by Dee Renee Ericks
The nest boxes are cleaned and sterilized every year before they go up for the season. Each nest box is thoughtfully equipped with a clump of fresh grasses to prime them for nesting. A bit like leaving mints on their pillow!
Dan makes last minute adjustments to the specially equipped ladder, while Dow looks on. Photo by Dee Renee Ericks
Vince, Dan, Dow, and Bob Boekelheide assist Alex Ayoub in placement of the first nest box. Tension wires dangle down. Photo by Dee Renee Ericks
Alex straightens out the tension wires that help to snug the nest box in place. Photo by Dee Renee Ericks
Vince and Bob use the tension wires to secure the nest boxes to the piling. Photo by Dee Renee Ericks
Alex hangs the second adjoining nest box. The entrances to the boxes always face away from the northwesterly prevailing winds. Photo by Dee Renee Ericks
Ken Wiersema makes a repair to a section of tension wire before the next installation. Photo by Dee Renee Ericks
Bob Boekelheide makes a wire repair on tip toes. Photo by Dee Renee Ericks
Ahhh! Just the right length! Photo by Dee Renee Ericks
A well-practiced team. Photo by Dee Renee Ericks
Acorn Barnacles and Bay or Blue Mussels adorn the nest box pilings. Photo by Dee Renee Ericks
Bird tracks are visible on the current rippled sand visible at low tide. Bob B. identified this alga as Winged Kelp, alaria marginata. Photo by Dee Renee Ericks
The crew moves inland to the pond, where two posts support PUMA boxes. These installations are actually the most difficult. Photo by Dee Renee Ericks
Nimble Dan takes on the challenge, and successfully mounts the first set of boxes. Photo by Dee Renee Ericks
Its not as easy as it looks! Photo by Dee Renee Ericks
Vince hands Dan the second set of nest boxes. Photo by Dee Renee Ericks
All done! The nest boxes will be monitored daily for the arrival of our “scouts”. Now, when you visit 3 Crabs, you know the behind-the-scenes story! Photo by Dee Renee Ericks
Western Purple Martins. Photo by Dee Renee Ericks