Purple Martins at McLeod Plantation Historic Site...

The McLeod Plantation has resident Purple Martins! Since April the McLeod PUMA team has been monitoring for signs of activity, nesting, and eggs. Kiffen English, MaryAnne Harbit, Bobbi Studley, Charles Summerall and Kim Wilson have been enthusiastically checking on the Purple Martin situation at the PUMA gourd rack in the open field south of the main house.

In April we had our first signs of nesting in several gourds. In mid-May one gourd held six eggs and in early June four beautiful, tiny, very naked hatchlings appeared. The four nestlings appear to be doing well and should fledge late June or early July.

Of course you’re all wondering about Purple Martins (swallows, Progne subis) nesting preferentially in human made structures like racks of plastic gourds. While Purple Martins historically nested in tree cavities and old Woodpecker nest sites, Native Americans set up natural gourds for Purple Martins before European settlers arrived and the Europeans continued the practice. Purple Martins are cavity nesters that used to use dead tree holes and old Woodpecker nests. Habitat loss and the presence of human made alternatives have led eastern Purple Martins to rely almost entirely on artificial nest boxes, usually as part of a PUMA colony. Their nests are constructed of grasses, sticks, and leaves; the ones we saw were kind of messy (but who am I to judge).

Their gatherings can be massive, as the roosting sites on Bomb Island on Lake Murray here in South Carolina, with about one million birds. In June and through to early August you can see spectacular swirling swarms or murmurations of the Purple Martins at dawn or dusk. Later in the year they migrate to South America and then start to return to the Low Country in mid to late February.

Many thanks to Caroline Heape, Kristina Wheeler, and the folks at McLeod Plantation for setting us up with the project and all their support.

Photos by Kim Wilson and Charles Summerall.