Hi Tweets,

For anyone interested in seeing how most martins likely were nesting
back when Stanley A. Jewett et al put together the last Birds of
Washington book back in 1953, some opportunities remain. One of my
favorites is the old navy pier at Fort Flagler on Marrowstone
Island. I've been visiting this site the past few summers after
someone alerted me to martin presence there during the breeding
season (thank you Sam). Last year six pairs nested in and on that
old derelict pier, on small ledges and in horizontal timber rot
pockets. Best time to visit is at low tide, when you can walk out
closer to the end of the pier. You cant go onto the pier. One of
the most interesting aspects of these breeders, as well as other
pier nesting martins in Jefferson county, is that some of the birds
are using old Rock pigeon nests, simply adding some new nesting
material, and then green leaves just before egg laying each
season. This observation has given me a new appreciation of Rock
doves, and now when I see them anywhere, associating with
buildings, bridges, etc, during the summer, I always keep an eye
and ear open for martins.

Also in Jefferson county, the martins at Lower Hadlock have been
another regular stop for me each summer. Whether or not they bred
there before the few nestboxes went up I do not know, but this past
year was exceptional. In addition to one or two pair confirmed
using the nestboxes, two pair used horizontal timber rot pockets,
two pair used the open ended pipes that act as curbs on a pier, and
one pair used the exhaust port of an inactive boat. The remarkable
thing about the exhaust nesters was that the boat was not tied up at
a dock, but rather anchored at the bow, so that it changed
direction with the wind and tide. The martins were observed
carrying food into this nest while the entrance faced different
directions . So, apparently the birds use more than the obvious
spacial orientation clues to relocate their nests. The Hadlock
site is private property, and can only be viewed from the street.

Looking forward to spring.

Stan Kostka
Arlington WA
lynnandstan at earthlink.net
N48 15.37 W122 06.50