The Scouts are Coming: Migratory birds to be spotted in the area

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — For some, there’s nothing more exciting than the arrival of the migratory bird, the Purple Martin. They are the largest of the North American swallows. Flying from South America where they winter, they faithfully return to the same locations every year.

The first to arrive are called scouts and they are usually the older males. They are not looking for nesting areas but simply returning to where they nested before. The younger males follow and then the females arrive. Both sexes help build the nest which will be home to 4 or 5 babies. As soon as the chicks leave the nest, the Martins start congregating in large flocks and roost together in preparation for their trip south.

Have you ever heard anyone say, “Location, location, location?” This is especially true if you want to attract Purple Martins. They are colonial nesting birds which means they occupy apartment-type houses. Since Purple Martins feed while in flight, they prefer their housing be placed in the open, away from human housing and trees. They eat mosquitos, beetles, wasps, dragonflies and other day-flying insects.

House Sparrows and Starlings can take over your Purple Martin house. They can prevent Martins from nesting,, destroy their eggs, and kill nestlings. Do some research on the internet and find out how you can become a successful Purple Martin landlord.

TWRC Wildlife Center is a Houston-based wildlife rehabilitation and education center available to anyone needing assistance with wildlife. Check our website at www.twrcwildlifecenter.org or call 713-468-TWRC and don’t forget to donate so we can continue to help wildlife as we’ve done for 36 years.