One of the most enjoyable features of our Kensington NE atlas block was the big Purople Martin colony, at least 50 pairs and maybe more, at the Northwest Branch Golf Course (a MNCPPC facility). We went up today to check out breeding success and found the colony was gone! The houses were not there and the poles were down, not a martin to be seen anywhere. What a tragedy!

A groundsperson said that the former grounds manager (who was very pro-bird) "took the houses with him when he left" -- so perhaps they were his personal property -- but all the bluebird boxes are still in place. I can imagine the confusion when the martin "scouts" arrived this spring!

I hope MNCPPC can see about replacing these boxes as this colony produced dozens of young every year, and (I am sure) helped keep down the noxious insect abundance on the golf course.

Martins are thin on the ground in the DC suburbs, they need all the help they can get!

Gail Mackiernan
Silver Spring, MD

p.s. At least we saw some good birds for the block today, best being confirmed Green Heron (nest with young, a real cutey!)