At Home With The Martins Of Sherwood Island
Two male Purple Martins check each other out from their perches which are a part of the gourd station at their colony at Sherwood Island State Park.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Purple Martin families have called Sherwood Island State Park home since 2013, when the colony was first established by Tina Green, an avid birdwatcher and enthusiast of the species. The largest member of the swallow family, Purple Martins have thrived in the park thanks to Ms. Green's dedication and expertise and the help of bird loving volunteers. As a former president of the Connecticut Ornithological Association and a current member of the Avian Records Committee of Connecticut, she has played a significant role in promoting awareness and conservation of these birds in the region.
We have Phil Donahue to thank for this gift of nature
When former Westport resident Phil Donahue, one of the first and most well-known daytime talk show hosts, sold his Beachside Avenue home, he generously donated 24 Martin gourds to the Friends of Sherwood Island State Park. This contribution supports the park’s ongoing efforts to provide habitat for native purple martins, helping to sustain the local bird population and enhance the natural environment for visitors and wildlife alike. The donation reflected Donahue’s love of nature and commitment to the Westport community and its natural preserves.
Milan Bull, Senior Director of Science and Conservation at The Connecticut Audubon Society, collaborated with Ms. Green and the Friends of Sherwood Island to establish the colony. Their efforts quickly proved successful, and twelve years later, all 36 gourds in the colony were fully occupied for the first time since its creation. This milestone marked a significant achievement in the ongoing conservation work, demonstrating the positive impact of their dedication and collaborative approach.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
The Sherwood Island site was very attractive to the Martins due to its location in a quiet section of the park adjacent to the Nature Center near the east end of the park. Martins are known for being selective about their nesting sites, and in the eastern United States, they typically only nest in gourds like those seen here or other artificial houses provided by humans. This preference makes the carefully placed gourds at Sherwood Island an ideal habitat, encouraging these birds to settle and thrive in the area.
After spending a few months in South America, primarily Brazil, Purple Martins begin their long migration back to North America. Adult Purple Martins typically arrive between January and May, followed by subadults arriving 4 to 12 weeks after the adults. About 4 to 6 weeks after arrival, the birds start nest building, preparing suitable sites for raising their young. At dawn, males engage in singing, which plays a crucial role in territory defense and attracting mates. Following this, copulation occurs, leading to egg laying. Once the eggs are laid, incubation begins, with adults taking turns to keep the eggs warm until they hatch.
Come watch as we band our Purple Martins
On Friday, July 11th at 9:30 a.m. at the Nature Center Ms. Green and a crew of volunteers will be banding the Martin colony. This unique opportunity allows the public to witness the banding process. Volunteers can lower the gourds using a pulley system to safely access the birds for banding and during the season to monitor the Martin colony’s progress and health. Each bird will be carefully banded to record vital data and potentially track their movements.
Bird banding data are invaluable tools in both scientific research and conservation management efforts. By allowing for the individual identification of birds, banding enables detailed studies of dispersal patterns and migration routes, which are critical for understanding species’ movement and habitat use. Additionally, banding provides insights into behavior and social structures within bird populations, helping researchers assess interactions and hierarchy. Long-term data collected through banding activities contribute to estimates of life-span, survival rates, and reproductive success, all of which are essential for monitoring population dynamics. These insights inform conservation strategies aimed at promoting population growth and ensuring the sustainability of various bird species.
Afterward, the gourds will be raised back into place, returning the colony to its normal status. We invite everyone interested in bird conservation and nature to join us for this educational event.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Three male Purple Martins share their perches. The bird on the left has a visible band, the orange object on the birds leg.
Much more to see and enjoy on “The Island”
The Purple Martins make quite a journey from South America. We know that many New Yorkers flock (bad pun) to Westport to enjoy the summer and our beaches. Perhaps these pigeons flew up from New York to enjoy some seaside dining. Although they are not usually found at the beach as park employees told WestportLocal, there they were, very busy this day and seemed to be quite pleased to be enjoying whatever morsels they found as the foraged.
A short walk from the nature center will take visitors along a path to the north where bunnies are busy as well, enjoying their favorite meal.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.
Speaking of meals, the picnic tables at Sherwood Island State Park beckon visitors to enjoy an afternoon picnic. One caveat; if you walk away from your picnic table voracious seagulls thank you for leaving your food unguarded.
As Metro North and Amtrak trains rumble past the Osprey platform at the north end of the park, mama Osprey is unconcerned, instead focused on feeding her chicks which are approaching the age when they will take their first flight. The Osprey below may possibly be her mate searching Long Island Sound for a fresh fish dinner to bring home to the nest..
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.