\nWhite Rock Peace Arch News,\u00a0 Canada\u00a0–
\nBy Tracy Holmes
\nStaff Reporter
\nJul 19 2014<\/p>\n
Naturalists involved in the comeback of Purple Martins in the Lower Mainland will lead talks and a walk Sunday to share the success story.
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\nCelebrate 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re trying to promote the success of the return of the Purple Martins,\u201d Peninsula naturalist Jude Grass said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve now got at least a half-dozen successful colonies in the Lower Mainland. It\u2019s really a neat success story.\u201d<\/p>\n
Grass is chair of Sunday\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Grass described Purple Martins as beautiful birds that nest in large colonies on the East Coast, but prefer more private accommodations here.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re an interesting bird,\u201d she said. \u201cOurs also like to be over water. In the east, they\u2019ll nest in your backyard.\u201d<\/p>\n
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 \u2013 provided there\u2019s somewhere to call home.<\/p>\n
The bird was scarcely seen in North America after 1940, but began making a comeback in B.C. 20 years ago.<\/p>\n
Nest boxes were first installed off Blackie Spit in 1994, to aid the population\u2019s recovery. Volunteers replaced the boxes \u2013 21 in all \u2013 last February.<\/p>\n
Experts say the Purple Martins will head south for good if their population is not encouraged and supported here.<\/p>\n
Sunday\u2019s event is free to attend. It\u2019ll likely appeal most to those age eight and older, Grass said. For info, call 604-538-8774.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
White Rock Peace Arch News,\u00a0 Canada\u00a0– 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[413],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n