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.
Mike and I decided to go back to the Sharpstown Roost last night. On the way over, Mike asked, "Do you think it's still there?"
Not only is it there - it is way bigger than it was on June 27th. Maybe three times bigger. It has now expanded to include three roosting sites. The original seven trees, the trees across the parking lot toward the corner of Bellaire Blvd. and 59 and the trees on the east side of Foley's parking garage are now included.
The time frame has also changed. We arrived at 7:45 and several thousand PMs were already circling overhead. We left at 8:45 when most of the birds were already in the trees. I hadn't really noticed, but the sun is setting earlier each day - already.
I was astounded by the numbers of Purple Martins and this time we got poop bombed numerous times. We parked very close to the original 7 trees and I suppose we were just asking for it...
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.
That is awesome. I am going to be down in Houston next weekend to help my parents move. I will have to run down to Sharpstown to see the roost. I hope it is still there. I haven't seen any info on roosts here in Austin. My Martins left at the end of June.
I actually grew up in Sharpstown. Is this at the Mall or somewhere near there?
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.
Yes, the Sharpstown Roost is at the Mall. It is on the 59 @ Bellaire Blvd. side of the Mall in the trees in the parking lot (as described in my original post above).
There is a roost in Austin. It is at the Highland Mall.
To find roosts throughout the entire breeding range of the Purple Martin, go to the top of the Forum, click on PMCA Home, then click on the big window that says "Project MartinRoost". Scroll down the page to the map at the bottom and click on your desired State or Province and a list of all suspected roosts in that area will be displayed. Somebody has spent many hours searching radar maps to locate and document these "suspected" roosts. Be sure to read the article above the map - very informative...
The timeframe is critical. By 8:00 pm, any roosts in Texas should be in full swing. Hope you get out to see one - enjoy....
Txaginpa - there's a roost at Highland Mall there in Austin. My daughter went to see it and she said it was awesome. I guess they are still there, she hasn't been back.
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.
Did you see, there is a "suspected" roost at Hwy 190 Onalaska Bridge on Lake Livingston? Did you see, there is a "suspected" roost just out of Brenham?
I am sure the Highland Mall Roost is still active. All of the Texas roosts will probably begin a serious decline in the next few weeks, but right now, they are in full swing. Since we don't have anybody close enough, or interested enough, to monitor them closely, we really don't know when the last Purple Martin leaves.
So, anybody who wants to see a roost - don't put it off too long - they will soon all be gone...
I wonder ... whose bird will be the last one to cross the equator?
