White Rock Peace Arch News, Canada –
By Tracy Holmes
Staff Reporter
Jul 19 2014
Naturalists involved in the comeback of Purple Martins in the Lower Mainland will lead talks and a walk Sunday to share the success story.
Celebrate the Purple Martin: A Species at Risk in the Lower Fraser is set for 1-5 p.m. July 22 at Historic Stewart Farm, 13723 Crescent Rd.
“We’re trying to promote the success of the return of the Purple Martins,” Peninsula naturalist Jude Grass said.
“We’ve now got at least a half-dozen successful colonies in the Lower Mainland. It’s really a neat success story.”
Grass is chair of Sunday’s event and said as many as five speakers will lead illustrated talks on Purple Martin projects. There are several in place, including Maplewood Flats, Port Moody, Iona Island and Blackie Spit.
The presentations, which will be indoor, will be followed by a rain-or-shine jaunt to Blackie Spit to view the birds and nest boxes.
Grass described Purple Martins as beautiful birds that nest in large colonies on the East Coast, but prefer more private accommodations here.
“They’re an interesting bird,” she said. “Ours also like to be over water. In the east, they’ll nest in your backyard.”
Purple Martins are the largest North American swallow. The blue-black bird winters as far south as Brazil, but returns to southwestern B.C. every spring for breeding season – provided there’s somewhere to call home.
The bird was scarcely seen in North America after 1940, but began making a comeback in B.C. 20 years ago.
Nest boxes were first installed off Blackie Spit in 1994, to aid the population’s recovery. Volunteers replaced the boxes – 21 in all – last February.
Experts say the Purple Martins will head south for good if their population is not encouraged and supported here.
Sunday’s event is free to attend. It’ll likely appeal most to those age eight and older, Grass said. For info, call 604-538-8774.
