On Wednesday, July 15th our LiveCam nestlings reached 26 days old and all took their first flight. Watching the Purple Martin nestlings grow from tiny pink hatchlings to feathered birds taking to the skies is always a rewarding experience and we are so happy you were able to watch it with us.
In a couple short months after flying for the first time, these fledglings will travel thousands of miles south to their wintering grounds in Brazil. During this time in South America, they will molt their feathers and feed on the plethora of insects to prepare for their trip back North in the spring.
Thank you to everyone who watched and shared our Live Steam with others. Our time with the Purple Martins seems to fly by, but they will still be in the area for a couple more months. They will continue to master the art of flying and hunt for their own food. Before heading to Brazil, they will congregate with tens of thousands of other Purple Martins in the evenings for a pre-migratory roost here in Erie, PA.
The fledglings are still returning to the nest at night so check in and say your goodbyes and well wishes on their journey south. Look out for our recap video of the LiveCam footage that will be premiering soon.
Mercedes Leofsky
PMCA Field Biologist