Subject: [Tweeters] Purple Martin project
Date: Apr 22 12:39:43 2011
From: Kelly McAllister - mcallisters4 at comcast.net


I also pondered the idea that Purple Martins are actually attracted to
places with people. I know of a fair number of locations along the Puget
Sound shoreline where people aren't present anywhere close by. I wonder if
it's the open character of the surroundings that makes it appear as though
they are attracted to people. It seems that many wide open areas, where the
trees have been cleared, are often parks, gardens, or people's yards. It
might be this openness feature that is so important to Purple Martins that
makes it seem like they are attracted to the people who often co-inhabit
them.

Kelly McAllister

-----Original Message-----
From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu
[mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Barry Ulman
Sent: Friday, April 22, 2011 11:34 AM
To: Connie Sidles
Cc: TWEETERS tweeters
Subject: Re: [Tweeters] Purple Martin project

Dear Connie,

I was interested in what you said about Purple Martins preferring
nest boxes close to human habitation. It seems that many successful nesting
colonies of Purple Martins have been established over water, not
particularly near houses. In Bellingham, we have two nesting sites for
PUMA's, one on a long pier and one on pilings just offshore.

And speaking of people-birds, Violet-green Swallows are also very
people oriented. They take very readily to nest boxes designed for them,
even in the heart of downtown Bellingham, and they're very tame, allowing a
very close approach.

Barry Ulman
Bellingham, WA.


On Apr 22, 2011, at 5:38 AM, Connie Sidles wrote:

>
>
>
> . Martins are people-birds. Apparently, if you erect their houses too far
away from human activity, the martins won't move in. For this reason, we
have decided to move our own pole a little closer to the greenhouses (in the
fenced-off field on the southeast side of the CUH buildings).
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