I checked out the PURPLE MARTIN colony at the Steamboat Landing park in Washougal this morning (6/21). They are using trees right on and in the Columbia for nesting as well as old pilings. This morning I observed a pair either checking out or living in an rather large (6 inch) pipe with a top "L" and shutoff valve right at the top. The pipe appears to have something to do with moving water from the industrial area between the the low meadows just off of Hwy 14 (and the sewer plant) through the dike on the river. Both birds let me approach within 10 feet and observe them. The male flew off and fed close by while the female remained perched just outside the hole going in and out on occassion.

Rob Conway
Camas, WA
45.58?N 122.44?W - elevation 310 ft.
robin_birder at hotmail.com