From: Stan Kostka, Arlington, WA
Purple Martin nestlings in a single-unit nestbox on Puget Sound during a nestcheck. Purple Martins in the Pacific Northwest (Progne subis arboricola) still nest in single-unit nestboxes and have not become densely colonial like their counterparts in the East (Progne subis subis). Cool photo Stan!
Stan doing a "total nest replacement" when the young are about 10 days old. Removing all the old nesting material and replacing it with a 1&1/2 inch thick bed of wood shavings or soft, dried pine needles helps the nestlings to be healthier by ridding them of energy-draining nest parasites like mites, fleas, and blowflies, all of which can become very abundant and weaken or kill nestlings.
Stan's Workshop in the Pacific Northwest
From: Stan Kostka, Arlington, WA
Photo of Stan Kostka constructing single unit nestboxes for the Purple Martins of Puget Sound
Photo of House Sparrow Trap for single unit nestbox of Western Purple Martin (Progne subis arborocola)
