Hi Lori et al., I've been doing some sampling of the Highland Mall Purple Martin roost again this year. They have been a bit tougher to survey this year due to weather and earlier initiation of dispersal. However, based on the counts I've done so far I've calculated an average estimate right about 600,000 Purple Martins. Radar suggests the samples have been representative of the roost though weather hasn't cooperated when I've tried sampling at sites around the dispersal ring other than my primary one. They did start early this year, fitting with reports I heard of fairly early fledging. It's hard to know if they are peaking, but my presumption is that the roost is about as big as it's going to get. What I don't know and would really love to see studied is where birds are coming from to populate the roosts along the northern gulf coast. Are there still birds en route from the north? Are birds leaving for wintering roosts already and being supplemented by northern birds? There are plenty more interesting questions about these roosts. Anyway, Travis Audubon Society will be hosting evening roost observations the next three Fridays and next three Saturdays from 8-9. http://travisaudubon.org/get-outdoors/field-trips/purple-martin-roost-at-highland-mall Cheers, Jake McCumber Austin Quoting Lori Markoff: "Has anyone good at estimating bird numbers been there lately? There were so many I have to wonder if they are peaking early?"