By Roni Graham
Staff Writer
The Purple Martin birds thrived in Sanford this past season. This year, the migratory birds known for their beautiful songs, were more present than usual, roosting by the thousands throughout the summer.
John Carey, a member of the Purple Martin Committee, observed an increase in their numbers this season, noting that the parents are actively nurturing their young. Their nesting grounds are maintained every year by the City of Sanford and Parks and Recreation and Audubon Society.
The Audubon Society goes to great lengths to make sure the species is cared for and protected in the community. The habitat at the Sanford Marina was established in 2017 by Jim Peters, the founder of the Purple Martin Committee.
Peters explained that the successful Purple Martin Season was largely due to the nesting gourds they purchased after the 2022 and 2023 seasons were filled with predator crows. “The design included entry tunnels that proved very effective against predator crows. We in-stalled one pole with eight gourds as a trial and all eight had nests without interference from crows” said Peters.
These improvements led to a significant increase in the number of birds this year. Given this success, Peters has been able to make the City of Sanford’s Park and Recreation department aware of the public interest generated at the marina. They have now agreed to help fund additional equipment that will further improve the habitats. The list of items includes two sturdy poles and twenty-four crow-proof gourds.
