Kris Baker and I observed the Ballard purple martins (1 pair) on Sunday
evening just before sunset, after having failed to spot them several
times earlier in the day. During those earlier periods we saw house
sparrows and starlings all over the site, so we chased them out and
sealed up all but one box (which was beyond the reach of our ladder).

When the martins finally showed up at sunset they were frustrated by the
closure, although had we not sealed them, the boxes would have been
occupied by starlings. For now it seems the martins are absent much of
the day, and return at dusk; sparrows and starling seem to have all day
to get established in the boxes, if available. We may try leaving the
boxes closed during the day and then open them at dusk, but the tide
often makes access a problem. We hope to devise a system of opening and
closing boxes from our kayaks, but we realize this to be a solution of
desperation.

This alien competition has created quite a dilemma for us and the
martins, and we'll be checking with authorities on management options.

Anyone out there in tweeterland have any suggestions?