This month we are pleased to introduce Judy Holton for our June Landlord Spotlight. Judy lives in New Bern, NC.
My love for Purple Martins began as a young child, watching my Dad build a small wooden house, with only three entrance holes in the front and three entrance holes for the back. I watched him observing these precious birds every day making sure they were always okay. I always wondered why he would get a ladder and climb up to the house and pull out old and messy nests that I didn’t know at the time, were a threat to his Purple Martins. These birds were very persistent, but so was my Dad. And he was not letting anything happen to his birds. I finally asked him why he was doing this and he explained that these were bad birds that would come into the nests and attack and destroy the eggs of his martins. I now understand how he felt since I have my own Purple Martin establishment. Every time my martins are threatened, my memories go back to my Dad climbing his ladder.
My love for Purple Martins began many years ago. When I became a teenager, I lost interest. Going to college, boys, hobbies, and getting a job overcame the interest for these birds. After I got married, I always would ask my Mom “Have they arrived yet?”
My Dad had left up his Purple Martin home when a stroke left him paralyzed and he could no longer take care of them. So the family just left the Purple Martin house right where he left it.
When my interest for the Purple Martins reentered my life that’s when I needed help. I found the best help anyone could ask for – Purple Martin Conservation Association. The PMCA is a remarkable organization that protects, educates, and answers all my questions when I need advice. They really helped me in the beginning.
I love when it’s time for nest building. They start early in the morning. You can tell when it’s time because they are almost like machines. They are constantly in flight, flying back and forth, from trees to bushes, building a perfect nest for their young, so they are safe and don’t fall out of their nest. When they are finished, the male goes to trees to shake a green leaf and bring it back to the nest. They arrange the green leaves in a circle and that’s where the female lays her eggs. Isn’t that amazing? When I see those green leaves, I know it’s a Purple Martin nest.
I love to start my mornings by going to my deck and watching their acrobatic moves in flight. I love listening to their special song and all their chatter. At the end of the day, right before dusk, I again go to my deck and watch the birds come in for the night. I am relieved because I know they are safe.
I love the bond I have with my martins. It’s such a good feeling when they don’t fly away. You know you have a family of Purple Martins that have bonded with you and trust you.
After the eggs are laid, the female sits on the eggs, as the adult male helps in the incubation. He feeds her and gives her breaks so she can catch her own insects and spreads her wings in flight. But she doesn’t stay away long. Soon enough she is right back, taking care of the eggs.
I love to do nest checks, which is very necessary to be sure everything is okay. It’s an amazing sight to find a clutch of eggs encircled by those green leaves.
When the nestlings are growing and they think they are old enough to just jump and start flying, they can end up on the ground, under their homes. So, you go and rescue this little one and put him back where he belongs.
I love to watch the nestlings as they grow and are finally old enough to leave their nest. That first flight to watch is so amazing. When they make that first move to fledge, my husband and I are so excited, cheering the nestling on from our deck. They take that first step to flight and usually go to the first tree they can find. Again, their mom and dad are with the nestlings all the way. What dedication to their young. So, so special.
After all the nestlings are old enough, usually that’s when the Purple Martin season is nearing the end and we have to say goodbye. The backyard is just not the same, but you remember they will be back next year. And you know they are coming back to you and the homes they were born in.
I would like to dedicate this story to my Dad who left me with much knowledge to share what he shared and to learn what he taught me about these amazing birds which are called “The Purple Martin”. I Love You Dad!
Judy T. Holton
A Purple Martin Lover