Description of Roost's Location: The Decatur River Roost seems to have moved to Wheeler Dam on the Tennessee River near Rogersville in Northwest AL. Darryl Holden located it yesterday after searching for several days. It appeared on the weather radar about two weeks ago and Brian thought it was in Johnstontown so David and I drove up and could not locate it. the weather radar looked like it was at First Creek and Hwy. 72 but we could not find it. Darryl posted he saw tons of martins on wires and in trees around his house so I went and we searched and noted the birds were headed east from his house so we went to the dam but it was too late and we saw no birds. We figured if he went to the dam earlier and if the birds were going west it must be between his house and the dam so he went to the dam and birds were sitting every where and he asked this man, do you know what a Purple Martin is and he said yes those birds are Purple Martins and in a few minutes they will cover that island, which is located just below the dam. Darryl could not believe his ears or eyes since he had been searching for almost 2 weeks and this stranger told him all about it and there it was. When we were searching and birds were flying over bu the 5's and 10's he was jumping around saying looka at all those birds everywhere and I kept telling him you haven't seen anything yet wait till we find the roost then we will see birds. When he found it he called me and could hardly talk he was so excited.

The question is why did they decide to move from the Decatur roost to Wheeler Dam? The water is up maybe a foot this year because we have had more rain and less grass was exposed or is there too many birds to stay safely in the grass and how did they know that?

Description of Roost's Location: A small island covered with weeds approx 80x100 yards in the tennessee river between the hwy 20/alt72/us31 bridge and the railroad bridge.

Public Access to Roost?: Yes

History of Roost: They roosted at the boat dock in the trees about 5 years ago and were discouraged by recorded distress calls and other means. Fishermen tell me they have seen the birds for about 3 or 4 years. I found them last year on August 7th and checked on them almost every night till September 5th; they evidently left that morning.

Description of Roost's Habitat: The island is covered almost entirely by weeds about 2 to 3 ft. tall with a few small patches of grass or reeds. It is located at water level with most of the weed's roots under water and some a few inches above water. The birds roost on the weeds, sometimes more than one per stem.

Roost Begins Approximately: Mid-July

Roost Ends Approximately: Early-September

Threats to/Problems with Roost: Not at this time that I can see. Raising the water level would cover the island and elimate the weeds. It seems to be perfect, no predators other than a big mouth bass or musk rat. The droppings go in the river or on the weeds, not cars. They settle just before dark which limits attraction by everything and everyone except myself and a few others. This roost poses no known problems to people.