Nesting Chores and Wars, Part 3 - Purple Martins

Purple Martins are one of those birds that attract a following. They have glamour and do their best to eliminate bugs in the air. They nest and spend their social time colonially. Native Americans reportedly hung hollowed gourds in trees to encourage the mosquito-hunting birds to roost nearby. Nowadays people add many-doored dollhouse looking structures on poles to their gardens with the certainty of an intriguing landscape ornament and the possibility of hosting fascinating birds.

Back in the summer of 2016 David Wise suggested we go see the Purple Martin colony on Plum Island. By virtue of a financial contribution David was an honorary landlord of the condominium that supported the last stronghold of these birds in Essex County. David was a longtime member of the Friends of Halibut Point State Park and was intrigued with the possibility that Purple Martins might find the Park hospitable. 

David Wise, second from left, and Sue McGrath, right, at Plum Island

We arranged a tour with principal colony champion Sue McGrath of Newburyport. Sue advocated investing in a plastic gourd array that can be lowered by rope and pulleys to monitor the birds' welfare and clean out competing nesters. 

The birds are not unduly disturbed by Sue's health exams and data gathering. She checks for mites, spoiled eggs, and unwelcome species.

The 24-gourd array at Plum Island

The visit to Plum Island encouraged us to pursue an installation at Halibut Point. Barbara Buls, DCR Regional Interpretive Coordinator, guided the project through the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Chris Leahy of the Massachusetts Audubon Society provided sponsorship and private donations. Sue came down to consult on location possibilities. We ordered a kit from The Purple Martin Conservation Association and had it erected in time for the early-April arrival of migrants from South America.

A Tree Swallow nesting in the 6-gourd array, Halibut Point,

House Sparrows swarming

The first nesting birds to settle in that year was a pair of Tree Swallows, only a minor disappointment to the local sponsoring committee. We researched the matter. Experienced sources recommended diligent monitoring to keep out swallows and bluebirds.

House Sparrows surrounding the Purple Martin decoy

As time went on thuggish House Sparrows drove out the swallows and expropriated the complex for themselves. Advice from The Purple Martin Conservation Association website reflected longstanding frustration: "Both House Sparrows and European Starlings are non-native species and are not protected under any migratory laws. The easiest way to control the species are by means of trapping or shooting."

Bluebirds, perhaps investigating

Who can say what should pass through the finest mesh of charm? Next week we will consider nesting boxes for Eastern Bluebirds. We have yet to entice Purple Martins to Halibut Point.

Nesting Chores and Wars, Part 2 - The Baltimore Oriole and Associates

A flash of brilliant orange high in a tree at Halibut Point alerted me to pair of Baltimore Orioles at work in the construction of their nest. Even at a distance the suspended pouch of woven fibers seemed like an improbable accomplishment for a creature without hands.

Baltimore Oriole male

The sparsely foliated tree, added to the birds' own colorful plumage, did seem an imprudent homesteading plan in full view of potential predators.

Baltimore Oriole female

Meanwhile, the female oriole stitched meticulous touches with her beak.

A couple of days later I was surprised to see an Eastern Wood-Peewee fluttering close to the Oriole nest.

Eastern Wood-Peewee

De-construction activity was under way at the undefended Oriole nest.

Peewee plucking

The Peewee was helping itself to strands evidently for its own building operation.

American Goldfinch

Shortly thereafter a Goldfinch appeared, cautiously surveying its prospects for looting material from the abandoned nest.

Goldfinch plucking

It began helping itself to fibers conveniently brought by the Orioles to this treetop cache.

Eastern Kingbird

Meanwhile, a pair of Kingbirds felt clear to set up housekeeping near the top of the tree.

Kingbird building

They took a bottom-up approach to nest construction, distinct from the artfully woven suspension system of the Orioles.

Kingbird brooding

The less glamorous structure nevertheless serves Kingbirds well. As agile-flying members of the Flycatcher family, they don't seem concerned about being able to ward off nest robbers threatening their highly visible promontory.

The second nest

Meanwhile, the Oriole pair shifted their nest location to a branch on an adjacent tree that promised to leaf out with a protective canopy. 

The female felt secure enough with this alternate site to settle in for egg laying.

Evidently the chicks have hatched, as the male Oriole stops in periodically to help feed the young ones. He dives aggressively at blackbirds loitering in the vicinity.

The script of life goes on successfully without perfection.

Nesting Chores and Wars, Part 1 - Diversity at Work

Much of the conspicuous activity of birds in spring leads up to the establishment of family circumstances for perpetuating themselves and their species. They have to find a desirable mate, and a nesting place to rear their brood.

Black-capped Chickadee excavating a nesting cavity...

Birds choose diverse opportunities for nesting. Some work harder than others.  

...and removing wood pulp.

While some Chickadees occupy or improve ready-made tree cavities this pair has started excavating from scratch for their homestead in a punky birch tree trunk.

Tree Swallow gathering nesting material

Tree Swallows, fabulous aerialists, put their feet on the ground to collect material for weaving into a nest.

Barn Swallows gathered at a mud puddle

Their close relative the Barn Swallow uses masonry more than weaving skills to build its nest on the sheer side of a wall.

Ready to head to the barn

Mud is the Barn Swallow's principal construction material, carried home a mouthful at a time.

Kingbird finds a nest-lining prize

Many birds add a soft lining to the framework of their nests.

This Brown Thrasher has captured and held two worms, so far

Until the fledglings can forage on their own the parents forego swallowing tasty morsels to feed the hungry mouths back at the nest.

Eastern Phoebe bringing home a meal

They try to make these trips industriously but cautiously to avoid giving away the nest location to possible predators.

Red-winged Blackbird driving away a Crow

They will attack predatory threats with furious quick maneuvers in defense of their habitation.

The fighter closes in

In some species the male keeps guard while the female broods the eggs. Both may take turns bringing food to the young.

A pair of Kingbirds beside their nest

These Eastern Kingbirds perch by their treetop abode with a look of satisfied vigilance.

The Education of a Photographer

Looking across the Babson Farm Quarry

Halibut Point State Park

Arriving at the rim of the Babson Farm Quarry always puts me in tension between staying fresh to its 'ordinary' sights and a never-ending quest for novelties. As a frequent photographer I can find myself blasé about the spectacular postcard views, the fabulous plumage of mallards, the glide of a gull to the water. I remind myself to look as though I've never seen these wonders before, and search simultaneously for visual adventure. Happiness means coming home with an extraordinary picture, which involves curiosity, alertness, and mastery of complicated equipment.

Snoozing mallards and gull in the quarry

Mallards and gulls often congregate in a shallow place at the far end of the Quarry where they're occasionally joined by a cormorant or a resident Green Heron. On arrival it's worth checking that spot as a 'wildlife warm-up' or photographic calisthenics.

Snoozing mallards and a questionable shape

From the far rim I have a wide-open view of this little sanctuary from 200 yards away. Conversely, birds have a good view of anyone approaching. Today through my binoculars there seems something odd about a probable gull just visible on the rock ledge. I follow my hard-earned discipline of "Shoot now, ask questions later" and set the camera on its tripod to take a picture before anything changes.

Photo detail, enlarged

I observe through the 500mm lens that the vague lump of white feathers has a peculiar outline for a gull. Its black feature is in the wrong place, apparently on top of the head rather than on its back. I begin strategizing about getting closer along the quarry's perimeter path. Luckily I'm still on station behind the camera when the bird flies.

Not quite a gull

It takes to the air with heavier wingbeats than a gull. It's shorter fore and aft, and not lifting easily on the wind.

Sometimes you get lucky

Luckily it flies in my direction. I try to keep it in the viewfinder's crosshairs, with my fingers crossed that Autofocus will distinguish it from the various backgrounds the bird crosses. As my Daddy used to say, "Luck is preparation meeting an opportunity."

Black-crowned Night Heron

It's a good day when education brings something beautiful closer where you can share with your friends.