Late Saturday afternoon I made the rounds of known Seattle martin nests, and was able to peer inside a gourd at Jack Block park with my spotting scope. At least three hungry nestlings were being fed about every 5-15 minutes, their bright yellow mouths easily seen in the late afternoon sun. The eyes of the nestlings were still closed. Other boxes and gourds had regular activity, and on one occasion I saw a fecal sac being removed. Jack Block park has five martin nests and unfortunately, one house sparrow nest.

Shilshole Bay has five martin nests and two house sparrow nests; I'm dismayed that it appears house sparrows displaced one pair of martins. Some of the martin nests may have hatchlings, judging from the regular activity during mid-day.

Kellogg Island has at least one martin nest; Terminal 105 was quiet, hopefully it still has an active martin nest.

Pier 90/Myrtle Edwards had no martins.

Kevin Li
Ballard, USA
kdli at msn.com