Purple Martin Migratory Roost

Subject: Purple Martin Migratory Roost - Summit County
Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:02:04 -0400

On behalf of Larry H and the Portage Lakes Purple Martin
Association, I pass along the following observation:

For the past week a pre-migratory roost of purple martins has developed
at Nimisila Reservoir near Green in southern Summit County. Larry
reports a minimum of 4,000 purple martins are staging there nightly and
going to roost in the cattails just south of the Portage Lakes State
Park campground. This is visible either from the launching ramp at the
campground or from the launching ramp at the southeast corner of
Nimisila Reservoir on Christman Road. Larry has approached the roost by
boat just before dark and seems to think the numbers are growing and may
even approach 10,000 birds.

Dan K
Dover

Subject: Purple Martins at Presque Isle
From: Don and Diana
Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008 05:56:01 -0700

Hello Everybody;
It is "Purple Martin Staging Time". Wow, it sure is!
On Friday, took our annual trip to Presque Isle at Erie, Pa. to observe
staging Purple Martins.

At the Isle we spent part of the afternoon hiking "the point" and
searching out leg bands on perching Purple Martins at Beach No. 11 (at least
1,000 individuals).

At about 8:00 PM we headed to the reed bed area where the P-M's
roost at night. It was a sight to behold. We estimated well over 50,000
individuals settling into the reeds. Frankly, there could have been twice our
estimate. It is difficult, if not impossible to count them. In addition to the

P-M's we estimated well over 2,000 Barn Swallows. The entire family of swallows
(which includes Martins) are very special to me. Needless to say, I was
absolutely thrilled, as always.

We left the Isle at about 9:00 PM, and headed back to our Buckeye
State.

With continued good conservation, I hope and pray that we all
may enjoy these special creatures, the Purple Martins, always.

Happy Birding