Hi All:

I was in West Seattle early this morning and stopped by Jack Block about
10:00. I didn't expect to see much Purple Martin activity that late in the
morning, but I could hear them, so I walked over to where the gourds are.
There was a lot of activity around some of the gourds - lots of flying and
feeding young and harassing the occasional gull visitor. From the upper
viewing platform, I looked down on several family groups perched on, around
and in the closest gourds. I had a wonderful close look at plumage details
and feeding behavior. The adults were bringing in damselflies/dragonflies
for the young.
I watched for about 45 minutes before the birds dispersed from the immediate
area. I can only imagine the amount of activity early in the morning, or in
the evening.
Last Sunday, the Purple Martins at Pier 91 were feeding young atop the
pilings where the gourds are hung.


Ruth Taylor
Seattle/Ballard
rutht at seanet.com