[va-richmond-general] Purple Martin Roost, Farmer's Market

Thursday, August 30, 2007, 17th Street near Farmer?s Market: 
There are several large flocks of Purple Martins streaming across the sky and 
folding into circles. Twelve people were present as one flock flew into the 
trees with a Red-tailed Hawk soaring into the tree behind them. Bird chatter 
died quickly and Martins flew to other branches for safety.

The Red-tail emerged with a dead Purple Martin and flew north to a telephone 
pole where he began his feast. He later tried again but was unsuccessful. The 
Martins were skittish to say the least about landing. They were later than the 
usual 7:50-7:55 pm. time frame.

Friday, August 31, 2007, same location: The newspaper article appeared today 
and a number of people (60-80) are standing around. Finally one large mass 
(300-400) of Purple Martins appeared and circled high in the sky. A Peregrine 
was seen chasing one bird. When the Purple Martins landed, the time was 7:54 
pm.  People applauded! 
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