By Dee Renee Ericks
Last winter, storm waves inundated waterfront property near the mouth of Morse Creek, spreading further inland than typically occurs. A hearty wooden post adorned with Purple Martin (PUMA) boxes and firmly planted in sandy soil, was knocked down by waves and battered about.
A check of the Morse Creek nest site found a single remaining empty post. OPAS volunteers jumped into action. A colony of five pairs of Purple Martins had nested successfully at Morse Creek for the past three years. Repairs were made to three older model PUMA nest boxes, and arrangements were made with land owners to place them on the remaining post. Purple Martins were soon observed and heard in the area.
Volunteers reinstalling a repaired PUMA nest box.
Photo: Dee Renee Ericks
On May 9th, three Purple Martin nest boxes were hung from the lone post, while several pair of PUMA circled, chatting melodiously above. These nest boxes were hung on a nail, and secured below with wires to help prevent vibration in buffeting winds.
Final installation.
Photo: Dee Renee Ericks
Even before the ladder came down, Purple Martin pairs were swooping in to check out their new accommodations. One banded female appears to be the same bird observed at this nest site last year.
Female (banded) and male Purple Martin checking out one nest box.
Photo: Dee Renee Ericks
Purple Martins have seriously declined in the west. Their decline in population may have to do with the introduction of non-native, cavity nesting birds, such as the European Starling and the House Sparrow. These introduced bird species have taken many of the natural and human made cavities found over land sites and forced Purple Martins to move their nests over water. PUMAs are in in the Swallow Family, and enjoy semi-open country near water. They forage mostly in the air flying as high as 500 feet, feeding on flying insects. These neotropical migrants travel to South America for the winter.
The older Purple Martins return first in spring to scout their previous nesting territories, and make sure it’s safe for others. They often nest in colonies. The male and female build a nest cup made up of leaves, grass, twigs and mud. The 3 - 6 eggs laid are white, incubated by the female. Both parents feed the nestlings, who leave the nest 26-31 days after hatching.
Dangers that Purple Martins face include sensitivity to the cold; they can starve for lack of insects during cold snaps. Loss of habitat by logging removes dead trees that would otherwise provide nesting habitat. Reducing the use of pesticides in their South American wintering grounds is important to the conservation of the Purple Martin.
For more information on the OPAS Purple Martin Nest Box Project, check out https://olympicpeninsulaaudubon.org/purple-martin-nest-box-project .