Subject: swallow rescue
Date: Jul 24 07:56:02 2002
From: Li, Kevin - Kevin.Li at METROKC.GOV


I have often seen purple martins seemingly encourage the flight of
fledglings; when a nestling makes an early flight attempt, adults (parents
and neighbors) from nearby will accompany the fledgling, flying in vocal
pursuit. It reminds me of people encouraging a kid riding a bicycle for the
first time. Martins will be fledging in another week or two in a number of
spots around western WA, so I hope to see them repeat the scenario.

The fishing pier at Luhr Beach near Nisqually is a great place to view
nesting martins; one pair has taken up in a box at eye level and only about
eight feet away. About 10-11 pairs are active there this year.

Kevin Li
Ballard, USA
kdli at msn.com