To all Purple Martin fans:

The Martins are back, the Martins are Back. This afternoon, around 5:00 P
M, I heard the chuckle chuckle chirp chirp (My interpretation) of this years
first Purple Martins.
There are 3 boxes on separate pilings out in front of the house, and the
first 2 males
to arrive have been inspecting their repaired and cleaned boxes.

Here on Commencement Bay the Martins are slowly expanding their nesting area
through oppportunistic use of man-made nesting sites (horizontal old pipes
as well as boxes)
and in the tops of rotted out pilings.

The usual arrival date has been on or near the 15th of April, and so this
time is a bit
late. For me, however, Spring has officially arrived (in indigo plumage).

Dave Adams
Tacoma