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Subject:

Purple Martins in Harford Co.

From:

Louis Nielsen

Reply-To:

Maryland Birds & Birding

Date:

Tue, 17 Aug 2004 22:10:42 EDT

Today, 8/17/84, from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. I was at Mariners Point Park in
southern Harford county where I witnessed the largest aggregation of Purple Marins
I've ever seen.  Whether unusual or not I've no idea.  There were at least
3,500 and possibly as many as 4,500 Purple Martins on the power lines at the
entrance to the park.  At least 90% of the birds were either female or juvenile
birds.  I saw very few identifiable (adult) males.  Do the males take of for the
south earlier than the females and juvies?  Interesting to note that a few
starlings were scattered in among the roosting martins -- cheek to jowl so to
speak.

Lou Nielsen
Reisterstown, MD