[va-richmond-general] Shockoe Bottom purple martins, 7/28, at least 1000

Tonight I was down there and a sizeable flock was behaving a little more
like they did in 2008.  They are not entering in countable waves yet, but I
am somewhat hopeful that they will continue to increase in number and become
more organized about landing.  There were some starlings and sparrows to be
heard in the trees when the martins began to land at 8:06, and the last
birds went in about 8:24 just before a thunderstorm hit.  A couple of other
women were there after having dinner-one had been at the roost last summer
and apparently timed their dinner to surprise her friend with the birds.  No
raptors were seen.  One interesting question would be whether the martins
would linger into mid-September if they are simply running late with their
arrival.  Usually they clear out by 9/2.  Always a joy to see these birds,
and it can't be just me given the number of people who were there last year
and have come back multiple times this year even knowing the numbers are
low. 

 

Jan

Richmond

Other related posts: