This week's low tides have allowed great viewing of the two pairs of purple
martins at the Ballard pilings, enabling me to see that at least two of the
birds are banded. Despite being just a few feet away, I wasn't able to read
the band numbers. (it's hard to situate one's self well while up 20 feet on
a ladder). Five martins have been present over much of the past few days of
observation, and I'm optimistic that these are determined to stick around
for nesting this year. WDFW started a banding program last year at Woodard
and Commencement Bay, so these band sightings are of special interest.
Having such a high incidence of banded birds among this small group may be
an indication of just how small and tight-knit the Puget Sound martin
population is.

The pilings themselves are based at about the zero foot level, so the low
tides have readily allowed people to walk around the pilings without getting
soaked.

Kevin Li
King County Environmental Lab
322 West Ewing St.
Seattle, WA 98119

(206) 684-2344

Visit our Lakes website:
http://splash.metrokc.gov/wlr/waterres/lakes/index.htm