Hi Mike,

There are nestboxes at Roche just out from the boat launch on a line
of pilings. Recently I heard a report that at least three pairs of
martins are using them. Roche reportedly had a pair each year in
2002 and 2003 but nothing last year, so 3 pairs there this year is
really good news.

Additionally, martins have been noted at several other areas in San
Juan County this year, all in nestboxes. I visited Orcas and Lopez
Islands today. One pair is breeding at West Sound marina on Orcas,
and four pairs on Fisherman's Bay on Lopez. These are likely first
records for these two Islands as far as I know. On San Juan
Island, in addition to the birds at Roche, I have heard reports of
single pairs at Jackson Beach and Fourth of July Beach. Have not
heard anything regarding Stuart Island.

So, five breeding locations in San Juan County this year, up from
one in recent years, following many years of absence, very
noteworthy. Martins have been expanding into the Northern Sound in
recent years, Island, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties, and
increasing in BC as well, following the introduction of nestbox
clusters on marine pilings. We know some of the birds breeding in
San Juan County this year came from these areas due to band
recoveries. .

With regard to the historic snag sites on San Juan Island, I have no
up to the minute info, have heard reports in recent years that they
have not been used. I visited Cady Mountain on San Juan last year
and apparently the very old snag that birds used in years past has
fallen down. Have never been to the Mt Dallas site. There is also
a record of martins using a snag on Waldron Island, but recent
reports indicate no birds there either. Since you are familiar
with their calls, maybe you could visit Dallas and Cady and give a
listen ? As encouraging as the recent reports of birds using
nestboxes are, martins noted in snag cavities would be great news .

Every year more breeding martins are noted in western WA and BC. If
this trend continues, seems only reasonable to assume a
premigratory gathering and roost could occur somewhere regionally.
Such a roost would likely begin to form very late July or August,
and continue into September, depending on the weather.

Stan Kostka
lynnandstan at earthlink.net
Arlington




Subject: purple martins at Roche Harbor
From: "mike collins" <mikecollins71 AT hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 26 Jul 2005 21:22:16 -0700
While out on the docks at Roche Harbor today, I saw and heard 3 purple
martins flying above the marina and perching on the top of a sailboat
mast.
Their calls gave them away as we walked down the docks in the midday
sun.
These are the first martins I've seen in the islands. I've read that
they
might still be nesting in natural cavities around Mt. Dallas on San Juan
Island. I also wonder whether the martin boxes in Reid Harbor of Stuart
Island have been used recently. Anyone know?