Houston Roost

Patrick W. Dusek · Thu Jun 22, 2017 11:06 pm

Its that time, has anyone come across a Roost in Houston Texas yet this year??? Thanks Patrick

Don Troha · Fri Jun 23, 2017 11:12 am

Large roost ring at Willowbrook. Small ring at Katy. Not much of anything at Stafford. Will try to get out to Katy tonight to check that one out, maybe Stafford on Saturday.

Don Troha · Fri Jun 23, 2017 10:40 pm

So I made it over to Katy today and there is indeed a modest gathering of Martins there. This one typically disappears early July.
In the trees in the parking lot of Taco Cabana, Mason Rd & Provincial Blvd.
Before roost time some are staging on the power structures/wires behind Fiesta one block east.
Video: https://youtu.be/uG1ZZ202pGY

Don Troha · Sat Jun 24, 2017 10:52 pm

Quite a small gathering of Martins at Stafford tonight. At the trees in front of Rack Room & Old Navy.

Patrick W. Dusek · Tue Jun 27, 2017 11:32 pm

Thanks Don keep us posted. Patrick

Emil Pampell-Tx · Thu Jun 29, 2017 6:30 am

Radar shows a quite large roost at Wharton, and a rather small one at Katy.

Patrick W. Dusek · Fri Jun 30, 2017 6:13 am

Thanks Emil, can you give some info on the one in Wharton? Street close to. Thanks Patrick

Emil Pampell-Tx · Fri Jun 30, 2017 8:15 am

Patrick, I do not plan to go there, its about 40 to 50 miles from my house. I only see it on radar.

Don Troha · Fri Jun 30, 2017 11:52 am

The Wharton County roost is closer to Pierce I think. That is also outside my driving range.

Patrick W. Dusek · Mon Jul 17, 2017 8:36 pm

Anything new showing up???

Don Troha · Mon Jul 17, 2017 9:30 pm

I visited the Stafford roost about a week ago & there's hardly anything there worth mentioning.
Morning weather radar shows mega-roost at Willowbrook, smallish roost at Katy, and mini-roost at Gulf Pointe on the southeast side.

My last nest just fledged so I'm gonna try to get back out to Katy sometime this week to check that one out.
There will be a watch party at Willowbrook on 7/22/17 hosted by Houston Audubon.

Don Troha · Wed Jul 19, 2017 3:59 am

Martins at Katy on Tuesday evening 7/18/17:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/waystatio ... 6/sizes/m/

Patrick W. Dusek · Wed Jul 19, 2017 9:26 pm

Okay Thanks Don, WOW you went from 5 pair to 11 that's great have a good one. Later Patrick

Don Troha · Thu Jul 27, 2017 11:10 pm

Martins at Willowbrook Saturday evening 7/22/17.

Video: https://youtu.be/nDz6hRBAPig

Also, in addition to the roosts here are some daytime staging areas around Houston:

Katy, S Mason Rd at Provincial Blvd
Staging on power tower/wires behind Fiesta
29.780583, -95.748064

NW Houston, Upper Horsepen Creek Dog Park
Staging on power lines and drinking/bathing at the pond
29.913122, -95.680422

NW Houston, Jersey Village Jogging Trail Wetland
Staging on power lines and drinking/bathing at the pond
29.897357, -95.575074

SE Houston, El Franco Lee Park
Staging on ballpark lights
29.592565, -95.253634

taxidermy lady · Fri Jul 28, 2017 6:10 am

Don thanks for all the work you do locating these roosts and staging areas! I'm sure the folks in your area love that! That will be on my bucket list one day! The one I seen last year over by Sparta was all starlings! Just a few Martins on power lines hanging out! Thanks again!
Do you host martins Don?

Don Troha · Fri Jul 28, 2017 1:43 pm

Sharon it was great to hear that you have scored some nesting Martins and fledglings after years of trying.
Yes I host some Martins & updated my signature with my site history.

By the way, there is a fellow here in the Houston area who photographs Martins with a camera/telescope rig.
Mostly pics of them drinking and hitting the water in flight. He says he wrote an article for an upcoming
issue of the Purple Martin Update. Watch for it in your mailbox if you are a member!

taxidermy lady · Fri Jul 28, 2017 2:55 pm

Thanks Don! Yes I'm a member and I've been waiting on it! I love reading the magazine they print for us!

Rodger Drye · Sat Jul 29, 2017 10:25 pm

Hey Don,
Thanks for the Videos of the Martin's on the power lines. Reminded me so much of my Dad's place at the river. He had those tall Power Lines next to his property and the Martin's would literally cover them up. Folks would line up and ride by his house just to glimpse a look at all the Bird's.!
Hopefully planning on attending the Mann's Harbor or Lake Murray Roost this year.!!
Keep on taking those Pics and Videos.!!
Rodger

Don Troha · Mon Jul 31, 2017 12:53 pm

Roger, there's a radar image on twitter this morning showing a roost ring in Mecklenburg County, Charlotte area maybe. That 's in your area, is it not? Upper right arrow in this pic.

https://twitter.com/NWSGSP/status/892021104247754752

Rodger Drye · Mon Jul 31, 2017 2:43 pm

Hey Thanks Don,
Yes according to the map you provided the roost seems to be on the Cabarrus / Mecklenburg Cty line. I'm in the process of determining exactly where it is located. If this is true it would be a first for this area. Would love to take the Grandkids and family to see such a gathering.
Thanks again for the info.
Rodger