The Purple Martins

Exactly What Are Those Strange Looking Bulbs by Lake Judy? Why, they’re Purple Martin houses, of course! Purple Martins are native songbirds that belong to the swallow family. They are long time favorites for their skillful aerial exhibitions and graceful flight, their social antics, and pleasant twittering. However, their insect eating habits are definitely the most beneficial aspect to the human population! Interestingly, martins are aerial insectivores – meaning they eat insects on the fly and also scoop water from ponds/streams and drink midair. They are guessed to eat over 250 billion insects a year.

What else is there to know about Purple Martins?

Glad you asked:

• They are about 7 ½ inches in length

• Weigh about 1.97 ounces

• They only fly during the day

• Martins mate for life

• The males protect their territory rather fiercely and the females will attack other females

• They fly up to about 40 mph

• The males are an iridescent purple with dark bellies with the females and young being duller in color

• Their lifespan is typically 1-2 years, however the oldest on record was 13 years – it was banded in 1933 and found again in 1947 in Illinois where it was originally banded!

Purple Martins “snowbird” in South America, typically the Amazon rainforest in the winter. They migrate to North America (most states and some of Canada with the exception of most mountain states). The birds will nest and breed in colonies and typically return to their former nesting area year after year. Mid-January is usually when the first “scouts” (which are really the older birds returning to their former nesting area) will begin to return in the Southern-most states. They roost together until late summer after the chicks leave the nest.

Eggs are usually laid in clutches of about four to six and, even though they are laid one egg per day, they typically all hatch within 48 hours. Unlike some other species, only the female will incubate the eggs. Their main predators include hawks, owls, raccoons,snakes, and squirrels.

Traditionally Martins would nest in Woodpecker holes, dead trees, etc., but due to non-native birds such as House Sparrows and European Starlings, and also habitat loss, they are almost entirely dependent on human supplied housing. The Native Americans would hang dried gourds in trees to provide them nesting houses. Thus, the many Purple Martin gourd housing colonies you see today. With so many birds nesting in one area, when they fly, they are in such dense gatherings that at times they can be seen on weather radar!

The Purple Martin Conservation Association was founded in 1947, so for more information on the birds or how you can help, please visit: www.purplemartin.org

The TGO Nature Center Board of Directors

Donna Pittman

Donna Pittman has served as Vice President of the Board since Dolly Akers recruited her in 2022 (of course, her previous experience serving on several BODs might have helped). She retired from her law enforcement job in 2010.

Donna hails from central Illinois, where she was born and raised. She graduated from the University of Illinois in 1973 and married her career Air Force husband, Paul, the same year.After living in Texas for a couple of years, he was transferred to the Tampa Bay area, where they settled.

Being avid sailors, they have owned a total of eight boats and have extensively traveled the Florida coastline, Bahamas, and other destinations. Taking a break at one point from sailing (life happens), her dad suggested they get an RV and took them on a “field trip” to Tampa’s Lazy Days, and the RV’ing bug bit! Seven RV’s and almost every state visited later, oh the fun they’ve had! They first began visiting TGO in 1994, but in 2020, as they met friends here, COVID reared its ugly head. They stayed well beyond the original four planned days, eventually moving part-time onto Oak Cove in their RV. It wasn’t until Paul “gently” persuaded Donna to visit a Tuesday Open House “tour” that they made the fulltime move across the peninsula to TGO in October 2021. Their first memorable experience in moving to TGO happened when their dog, Badger, got lost, and they were introduced to Sandy Juba, who brought an “army” of volunteers who made sure Badger returned safely and got to enjoy his new home. Continued next page

Communication and Membership Chair - Sharon Maloney - 770-294-6362 - TGONatureCenter@outlook.com

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TGO Nature Center

Hours Open: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Daily

The Nature Center at The Great Outdoors is a 501(c)(3) non-profit self-supporting organization. Donations may be tax deductible.

To Schedule the Meeting Room on M/W/F mornings and T/TH afternoons

Contact Cory Lucas - 321-264-2393

Other Meeting Room Days and Times and Enclosed Porch

Contact Loretta Anné - 321-385-9667

Injured Animals

Activities & Volunteering Assist in Selling Large Items

Used Recycled Ink Cartridges

Contact Sandy Juba

321-543-0502 sjubatgo@gmail.com

Trails and Trail Maintenance Contact Betty Salter - 321-223-8073 - bettysalter@hotmail.com