And now I interrupt the "end of the season" blues... ... to report about 20 Purple Martins are over my front yard and gourd rack right now. They are zooming around, soaring, circling, calling and chattering, and all-in-all being absolutely delightful. Even without grabbing the binoculars I could make out a few newly-fledged PMs bumbling along. I don't think these are "my" birds. They've been overhead for about an hour. Then they began dive-bombing and zooming by the gourds as fast as they could. After 15 minutes of that, two got brave enough to land and look inside a few of the gourds. Now there is a new fledge perched on the top pulley, as high up as he can get. He's chattering and bobbing, puffing up and looking all around in a very proprietorial way. Fledges all look the same, but I'm certain this is male. He's going to be a real (but delightful) pest next season as a SY, and an awesome beauty the next. Could he be the one to help produce my first 8-egg nest? It's August 13, three days past their latest departure date ever, and they are still being very good medicine.

Hello, I have been snooping around for a purple martin house and not been incredibly impressed given the quality and price. I did buy one from HD and returned it (what a joke). I have noticed lots of my neighbors have the gourd houses made from white plastic material. I'm new to the purple martin thing, as well as my area. I do know we have tons of martins that have migrated and will return next year. Suggestions about a house or the gourds?? Thanks, Mike

I do see the "black fog" of birds flying over us in the early spring and late fall as they migrate. I guess those may be Starlings...I always thought they were cowbirds. They will land in droves in our yard sometimes, but the dogs normally chase them off quickly. Maybe since the Martin house is so high above ground, they decided to try to make a home here. I wouldn't have known they were Starlings instead of Martins if I hadn't been checking images in my Martin pamphlet against what the birds building nests in the house look like...the birds building nests have yellow beaks, which the pamphlet says is a tell sign of male Starlings during mating season. I've already let DH know the house is coming down ASAP. He's thrilled that I've attracted the plague to our yard and now he gets to remedy my mistake.

They just arrived back! 7:29 p.m., Wed., April 27, 2022, Larimore, ND The Purple Martins are back! I had just settled down with my cozy blanket to watch a Netflix program when I heard that distinctive, never-to-be-duplicated, call. It was a big ole ASY male! He zoomed by the deck and swooped up to the gourd rack. He’s been here before. We opened up a few more gourds. Tomorrow morning is going to be glorious! There may even be photo opportunities! Let the fun begin. The first obstacle on tap is the cold and some snow still on the ground, but there have been some insects flying around.