North West Martins

By Kevin Li / Ballard, WA

(Photos by Kevin Li)
(Kevin Li Seattle Map)

5/11/02 Having heard of Purple Martin arrivals at various places around Puget Sound and in Vancouver BC, late this morning I took advantage of the low tide to use my extension ladder and prepare some of the Ballard / Shilshole Bay martin boxes. I pulled plugs on several boxes, cleared out one house sparrow nest, and then heard the familiar chuckle-chirping of a martin. An adult male circled around me several times, chased off a crow, and then landed a few feet above my ladder. I could easily see that it was an unbanded bird, as it stayed in plain view for at least 30 minutes. It checked out several boxes, but clearly paid the most attention to the second box from the north end, which happens to be the only one from this site that was successful last year.

Yesterday evening Kris Baker and I checked the lower Duwamish area for martins, but we saw none around Kellogg Island, T-105, and the Jack Block access. A few nights ago I saw an adult male at the Jack Block access.

5/12/02 During Sunday's low tide I walked south along the beach from Marina Park in Edmonds, where there are five Purple Martin boxes that I installed nearly two years ago. Today was the first time I've ever seen martin activity there; two martins flew from the boxes around 1pm. The pilings are in the intertidal. The bases are at a tidal elevation of about zero; the spot is about halfway between Point Edwards and Point Wells. I sometimes refer to it as Deer Creek beach. It's accessible only at low tide or by boat. Other highlights included 2 marbled murrelets, caspian terns, and warm sunny weather.

During this evening's high tide I paddled my sea kayak on the Duwamish River and Elliott Bay; at Jack Block access (terminal 5) I was pleased to find at least 2 adult male Purple Martins, and at least two females. There may have been one more. In the west channel of the river by Harbor Island there was one marbled murrelet.

At Kellogg Island I found four Purple Martins among the gourds and landlord, Rich Siegrist's, nestboxes. Considering how cool this spring has been, I'm quite surprised at how many martins I've seen in the area so early in May. They usually trickle in until late June or even mid July.

7/7/02 Purple Martin activity is somewhat subdued right now, with eggs presumably being incubated, and with the cool wet weather. In the past week I got a report of at least five pairs of martins at Picnic Point, martins that were eagerly checking out new martin boxes just moments after installation. Five boxes were already present on the pilings, and three more were just added by Lynwood residents Ed and Doug.

Jack Block Park on Elliott Bay had six nest boxes and gourds showing activity last night, especially when an adult bald eagle flew low near the nests. Three martins flew directly at the eagle as it flew under the high observation area, and the eagle calmly proceeded to its nest in the green belt to the west. The eagle had a clump of dry grass in its talons.

Shilshole Bay has at least five pairs, and Terminal 105 and Herring's House Park have at least one pair each. In another three weeks or so I would expect to see lots more activity as young are being tended to; right now it can be hard to find martins at midday.

Yesterday I got a report of three Purple Martins on Lake Washington near Magnuson Park, but I've been unable to verify it; they were reported to be checking out a natural gourd that has an active Violet-Green Swallow nest.

7/13/2002 Late Saturday afternoon I made the rounds of known Seattle martin nests, and was able to peer inside a gourd at Jack Block Park with my spotting scope. At least three hungry nestlings were being fed about every 5-15 minutes, their bright yellow mouths easily seen in the late afternoon sun. The eyes of the nestlings were still closed. Other boxes and gourds had regular activity, and on one occasion I saw a fecal sac being removed. Jack Block Park has five martin nests and unfortunately, one House Sparrow nest.

Shilshole Bay has five martin nests and two House Sparrow nests. I am dismayed that it appears House Sparrows displaced one pair of martins. Judging from the regular activity during mid-day, some of the martin nests may have hatchlings.

Kellogg Island has at least one martin nest. Terminal 105 was quiet, hopefully it still has an active martin nest.
Pier 90/Myrtle Edwards had no martins.

7-28-02 The Luhr Beach fishing pier near Nisqually is the place to go for martin observation, with nests as close as six feet at eye level. The place is bustling with activity, and at least some of the nestlings have fledged. Adults have been seen feeding dragonflies and even swallowtail butterflies to their offspring. Most of the dozen boxes are currently active with martins, and earlier this spring some housed Violet-Green Swallows and starlings.

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