On the morning of March 7, a small group of Kitsap Audubon volunteers gathered at Oyster Plant Park to begin an important seasonal tradition—preparing the Purple Martin houses for the birds’ spring return. Each year, these structures must be cleaned, inspected, and readied so that when the martins arrive, suitable nesting sites are waiting.

Leading the effort were longtime Purple Martin stewards Robert and Sandy Pavey, whose years of dedication have helped sustain the local colony. They were joined by Conservation Chair Colin Tierney, Treasurer Justin Carrington, and volunteers Catherine Ward & Shawn McCullough. For some in the group, it was their first time participating in the work. The morning became more than just maintenance—it was a chance to learn the ropes, hear the history of the colony, and spend time getting to know one another while preparing the houses for another season.

Purple Martins (Progne subis) are remarkable migrants. Each year they travel thousands of miles between their wintering grounds in the Amazon Basin of South America and breeding areas across North America. By early spring, the first scouts begin returning to the Pacific Northwest, often arriving in April. In much of the western United States, Purple Martins rely almost entirely on human-provided nesting structures like the houses at Oyster Plant Park. Natural nesting cavities are scarce along developed shorelines, so these carefully maintained houses are essential for giving the birds a safe place to nest and raise their young.

For Kitsap Audubon, maintaining these sites is a community effort. If you’re interested in helping with Purple Martin monitoring or house maintenance in the future, we’d love to have you join us. Reach out to the chapter to learn when the next work session is scheduled and how you can get involved in supporting one of our region’s most beloved migratory birds.

Preparing the Welcome Mat for Purple Martins

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