This morning I was pleased to find purple martins at several sites in Seattle, including a new spot on the south end of Elliott Bay. The site is at the Port of Seattle Terminal 5 public access, on Harbor Ave SW, just south of Salty's restaurant. Four martins were present at 930am and easily observable at very close range (10 feet). A pair was building a nest in a gourd very close to the end of the public pier, and the martins often perched on the light posts that are scattered throughout the park. Four boxes and two gourds were installed within the past 14 months, and presently it seems that just the gourds are occupied. The pier is at the very far end of the park, and is not yet very well known; part of the observation deck has been closed since the earthquake earlier this year, but good views of Elliott Bay are still there.

This morning Kellogg Island had one pair of martins at the nest boxes on the pilings at the north end of the island; the martins were entering the box at the south end, which is upstream and closest to the island. Rich Siegrist installed these a couple of years ago. Last year martins showed up but apparently did not nest here. This site can be viewed from the newly dedicated Herring House Park on West Marginal Way. The ospreys nesting downstream were quite vocal this morning, and added to the sights. I also saw a white crowned sparrow repeatedly feeding a young cowbird, which was much bigger than its foster-parent.

The Terminal 105 public access has one pair of martins amid the many pairs of house sparrows. The martins have been using the third box from the left, but I'm not sure if they've constructed a nest; I've seen them enter it at dusk, and this morning a female sat on the porch for at least 20 minutes.

Shilshole Bay appears to have three pairs of martins: one in the south gourd, one in the highest nest box, and one in the third box from the right..

Seattle may have seven pairs of purple martins nesting this year, which would be more than in many previous years. Right now the chances of seeing activity are best early in the morning or at dusk.

Kevin Li
Ballard, USA
kdli at msn.com