Maybe a staging area for a nearby roost. Did the Martins stay on the wires after it got dark?
Do they show up at the same place at the same time of day on different days? Nice pics.
Hi and thanks for all the comments and questions. I've been asking myself all these questions as well. Regarding the timing, yes. For the most part, at least the last two days, they don't even gather before 5:00 pm. The closer to dusk it gets, the more that come. Once it's barely dusk and I start seeing lightening bugs they're off the wires and swirling and hovering over the wheat and corn fields. I was amazed at all those birds just swirling and swooping in unison. It got dark and I didn't see them go back to roost on the power lines but I may go out there tonight and see if they're there. The location is only 3-4 miles from me. The general location is NC Hwy 903 South, La Grange, 28551.
Never Give Up!
2012 First Year 1 SY pair 7 fledged, 2013 1 SY pair 1 ASY pair 4 fledged, 2014 1 SY pair 2 ASY pair 10 fledged
Oh, and I suspect the martins are feeding on the lightening bugs and other insects just over the top of the crops. I know they don't normally feed so low but that's what they seem to be doing. It's just so interesting!
Never Give Up!
2012 First Year 1 SY pair 7 fledged, 2013 1 SY pair 1 ASY pair 4 fledged, 2014 1 SY pair 2 ASY pair 10 fledged
Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
I have seen this before. This is a staging area. Purple Martins sitting on the power lines all the way around the block (a block consisting of about 300 acres). We think the man made lake in this tract is the big draw - plus the small PM colony in my parents housing. The birds on the power lines leave every evening as the sun goes down. They go to a local roost which much be close by; however, I have never found it. As for the feeding low over the fields -- I see this from my PM colony all the time. If there are a lot of bugs in the air close to the ground, then that's where the PMs will be feeding and collecting food for their young. In your situation, I am certain they are grabbing one last meal before they settle into a roost for the night. Try to follow them. It may take several days of trying before you locate where they are roosting. The effort will be worth it!
The staging area at my parent's farm has begun. It begins with a few families and grows to include several thousand individuals. It lasts for about a month and then disipates; probably as the birds move south on their first leg of migration. At this particular staging area, the event is over by early July whereas the roost in Houston continues until early August. This staging area is about 60 miles from the Houston roost area, so I don't think they are connected.
It would be great to find such a spot. Regarding a water supply, that's a good sized canal but the Neuse River is only about a mile away. Anyway, thanks for the explanation! I'll see what they do today. (I just went through that area and not a martin anywhere yet.) Onward!
Never Give Up!
2012 First Year 1 SY pair 7 fledged, 2013 1 SY pair 1 ASY pair 4 fledged, 2014 1 SY pair 2 ASY pair 10 fledged
Makes sense that this could be a roost/staging area. One has been previously reported in the area: http://purplemartin.org/roost/roostdetail.php?roost=216
Try to follow the Martins from staging area to roost as Laverne suggested. Hopefully the roost
will grow in size over the coming weeks. Enjoy!
Don, I know where that is! There used to be a dairy near that area back in the day. All that's left of it is an old silo. I'll be checking it all out and let everyone know if I find out anything.
Never Give Up!
2012 First Year 1 SY pair 7 fledged, 2013 1 SY pair 1 ASY pair 4 fledged, 2014 1 SY pair 2 ASY pair 10 fledged
Update on the staging area here in Lenoir County, NC. The martins were there again the next day but none since. They may have been gathering before I discovered them, I don't know. I went back that second afternoon to follow them but they never went anywhere that I could see. They left the power lines to swarm the wheat like last time. It may sound silly, but it looked like they were roosting in the wheat and corn. If they went elsewhere it had gotten too dark to tell. Also, I've checked out the old dairy site on May's Store Road. There are three silos there with kudzu vines all over them. I've checked there several times and haven't seen any signs of the martins yet. I'll be keeping a close watch in the meantime and will let everyone know if anything interesting occurs. I think August is going to be terrific!
Never Give Up!
2012 First Year 1 SY pair 7 fledged, 2013 1 SY pair 1 ASY pair 4 fledged, 2014 1 SY pair 2 ASY pair 10 fledged
They were taken with my cell phone so they aren't the best for sure. 
