May’s Purple Martin Hour at Oyster Plant Park

There is nothing quite like the anticipation of welcoming back our favorite seasonal residents. This week, local Purple Martin Stewards Sandy, Robert, Catherine, and Justin met up dockside at Poulsbo’s Oyster Plant Park to check in on the nesting gourds and see who has officially moved into the neighborhood for the season.

If you’ve ever monitored wildlife, you know that nature loves to keep you guessing.

A Quiet Start...

The initial impression? A bit of a nail-biter. As the team looked out over the pilings and nesting setups, only one or two birds were visible. It felt like it might be a quiet, perhaps even disappointing start to the year. Had the weather delayed them? Were they nesting elsewhere?

...Turns into an Aerial Acrobatics Show!

But just as the group started to wonder, the magic of Oyster Plant Park kicked into gear. Within minutes, a few sleek flyers began swooping through the sky, cutting sharp lines through the air before landing gracefully on the pier.

Another ten minutes passed, and the sky truly came alive. Several more Purple Martins joined the fray, launching into full-on acrobatics directly above the team. They dazzled everyone with their high-speed, synchronized flights, chattering away at high volume with that distinct, cheerful liquid gurgle they are famous for.

We watched in awe as a few pairs decided it was time to get comfortable, officially choosing their gourds and settling in with their mates.

The Final Count

By the end of the hour, the team counted somewhere between 12 and 16 birds! While the colony isn't at full capacity just yet, it is a fantastic turnout for May and gave us plenty to be excited about for the summer ahead.

Join Us Next Month!

The Purple Martins are back, and things are only going to get busier from here as the nesting season ramps up. We plan to head back to the pier to check in on their progress in June.

Want to see these amazing aerial acrobats up close and chat with our local stewards? Head over to our Website Events Calendar right now, find the June date, and lace up your walking shoes. Bring your curiosity, your binoculars, and a friend—we'll see you by the water!