Banding Purple Martins

We had a good turn-out
– A. Bryant

Female purple martin –
– A. Bryant

Bruce Cousens collects a nestling
– A. Bryant

While the adults swarm overhead
– A. Bryant

Elizabeth Tenhoeve, Charlene Lee and John Treen record data
– A. Bryant

A young purple martin
– A. Bryant

Banding Purple Martins
by Elizabeth Tenhoeve, 14 July 2012.

Among other things, Andrew Bryant is the local coordinator for the Purple Martin nest box project at Myrtle Rocks.  He invited the Young Naturalists along while Bruce Cousens, Charlene Lee and he collected nestlings from the nest boxes to be banded.  It was great fun, many of the children were able to hold and learn more about these beautiful little birds.

It was amazing to realise that, because of the nest boxes, populations of these once endangered bird are climbing steadily, to over 735 breeding pairs this year.  We were glad to hear it!

The Powell River Peak published a story about the Purple Recovery Program, which be found here.