On August 12, while visiting a friend on Bainbridge Island, he showed me some Martin nest boxes, four of which were active, with two nestlings poking their heads out of each box. Together with adults this would be an overall population of 16. I believe the location was Point White Drive NE. Today, Sept 5th, while surveying birds at the Capehart housing site in Discovery Park, it was exciting to see what these days is a largish flock of Purple Martins. It was hard to count as they were flying and perching together with flocks of several other species, but I estimate 23-26 birds. They were very active and they should migrate within a day or two.One assumes they came from the Shilshole Bay group.Is anyone keeping track of total numbers and breeding success in Western Washington?

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David Hutchinson, Owner
Flora & Fauna: Nature Books
Discovery Gardens: Native Plants
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Seattle,WA.98199
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