Pre-migratory roost in Garland, Texas

[Joe Henchal]

We've been visiting a pre-migratory roost in Garland, Texas (a suburb of Dallas) for the last several years. It's moved around a little bit over the years but has always been in the same general area, close to Northwest Highway and I-635. We went there tonight and we didn't see a single martin anywhere. It looks like there is some construction being done to I-635 in that area but don't know if that has anything to do with the roost's disappearance. Anybody have any knowledge about what happened to it? Thanks!

[Joe Henchal]

This is an update to my previous post. It turns out the roost is still there, it must have been a little late in getting started. We were there a couple of nights ago and it was spectacular, as always. Thousands and thousands of birds! It is located in the parking lot of the bowling alley at Northwest Highway and Marketplace Drive in Garland, Texas. There are some Bradford pear trees at the back of the parking lot and that's where they roost. On a sad note, Bradford pear limbs are notoriously weak and we saw where a large one (8 to 10" in diameter) apparently broke due to the weight of the many birds. There were 30 to 40 dead martins around it, they must not have been able to get out of the tree in time. It was tough to see so many dead birds. Be careful - if you park too close to the trees, like we did, you'll be having to wash your car the next morning (like I did).

[Whippy]

Thanks for sharing the roost information, Joe. I'm going to try to get over there and have a look this week. Perhaps I'll recognize some of mine that left last week. Sure is quiet around here all of a sudden.

Coolwhips

[Martintown33]

I’ve always wondered how so many martins concentrated in one place, in these mega roosts, find enough insects to eat in that area… seems like that many martins would clean out the insect supply fairly quickly.. anybody know?
Rob

[Whippy]

M-Town,

I believe the roosting is a gathering point for an over night stay and pre-staging for the migration soon to come. In the morning the birds will fly out of the roost, circle around a bit, then disburse throughout the area. In fact, this morning, my airspace was occupied by 10 to 20 Martins that I believe to be members of my colony as they made a few low passes past my T-14 and gourd rack. I am 15 miles from that roost mentioned above and, for a Martin, 15 miles is nothing to cover on the wing. All of my Martins fledged last week.

I'm sure the insect population in the immediate area is a bit low however, as agile as these Martins are, spreading out and finding food shouldn't be a problem. I do believe also, that they fly around in small groups as I just mentioned in seeing them above my colony this morning.

I'm sure a scientist will come along and correct my position, or support it however, basic observation of their behavior generates my statement.

Coolwhips

[Martintown33]

Sounds logical to me coolwhips!
Rob

[Whippy]

Yep. Seems to be as I continue to monitor the skies.

I had another small group of about 10 to 15 feeding in my airspace and in my neighborhood not long ago. An hour before these arrived there were 3 buzzing around.

Coolwhips