Hi Tweeters,

Three summers ago I was paddling on the east side of Vashon and
noticed the Purple Martin boxes and gourds. I started learning more
about the various efforts to bring the martins back to Western
Washington. I then noted the perfect pilings on the Edmonds
waterfront. I had learned about all of Kevin's wonderful efforts in
the Seattle metro area to post and maintain gourds for the martins.
I contacted him. He was very interested in getting gourds to the
Edmonds waterfront for sentimental reasons. He told me he had lost a
friend with whom he had done research work in that area. With his
willingness to come this far north, I contacted Edmonds Parks &
Recreation. The personal upshot was meeting and keeping in contact
with Kevin over the last two years. His legacy includes bringing
Purple Martins to Edmonds.

His death is, indeed, a great loss to his family, his friends, the
birding community, and to all who see and marvel at the sight of
North America's largest swallow back in Western Washington. I hope
that the birding community, as a tribute to Kevin and to sustain what
he has started, will find a way to maintain all of his gourd sites.
We have already started discussing how we will carry on in Edmonds
without him. I hope that we can all start a conversation about how
we come together with financial and human resources to continue his
efforts on behalf of the Purple Martins.

On another thought, would some sort of memorial plaque at Jack Block
Park be appropriate? I guess that would involve coordinating with
the Port of Seattle. These are just some preliminary thoughts as I
deal with my own sense of loss of this wonderful man.

Carol Riddell
Edmonds