These martins are roosting in a small cluster of about 4 trees at the Renfro
Valley Music Village right off Rt 25. I guesstimate something less than 5,000 birds in the roost this evening (Aug. 19). They put on a good show with 2 separate layers of birds swirling above the huge parking area and buildings. Martins decorated the powerline by the hundreds that crosses the parking lot and many more sat on the roof of the largest building. The powerline might be a good spot to look for banded birds with a spotting scope. The last individual bird tucked into the trees at 8:45 pm. I would recommend getting there about 8:00 pm to see the action. To get there, take exit 62 on I-75. If traveling south from Lexington, turn left onto Rt 25 at the end of the exit ramp and follow 25 under the interstate and around to the sign on the right with the words, "Renfro Valley Recreation Center and RV Park." The cluster of trees near that sign and the little log cabins is the spot.
Martin Roost - Renfro Valley, KY
I always loved listening to Renfro Valley on the radio, sunday mornings, back in the 60s, while I helped my dad milk the cows. Someday my husband and I are going to visit and hope the purple martins will be there to welcome us to the good ol' gospel music, that I grew up with.
Thank you for sharing.
ChrisM
NE Kansas
Thank you for sharing.
ChrisM
NE Kansas
I will be going through that area in a couple weeks I wonder if they will still be there. I would like to check it out . I have found a roost close to me that has been showing on radar it is in a corn field close to a interstate . I like looking for these roost, a couple weeks ago I went to a county in Wabash Indiana and drove around 4 hours looking for it but never found it maybe some day I will. but the drive was nice in that area . I see it on radar but have not seen the martins.