We are excited to announce that the new Purple Martin Community is newly established and the “vacancy” sign is now lit for the migrating Purple Martins arriving from Brazil to populate our new 24 gourd rack at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve. The new rack was assembled and installed by Lemon Bay Conservancy volunteers and two additional volunteers from the Venice Rookery. The gourds each have pine needles inside for the Martins to start their nesting.Our current 12 gourd rack will soon be updated to accommodate additional nests. Purple Martins migrating in the eastern half of the US are totally dependent on humans for nesting sites, whether at gourd rack sites or around buildings. Our Purple Martin Team, trained by Barbara Zittel, with the Venice Rookery, will check the nest every 5 days throughout the season to record nests, eggs laid, eggs hatched, nestling and fledged birds. Hopefully we will soon have a great Purple Martin community for members to observe and enjoy.
