This morning I visited our local barber and learned of the very good year
that he has been having with his Purple Martins.  He has many homes set out
for them, and this year has had 87 active nests in the total of 100
apartments that he has in place for them.  Total young number 406, of which
he has banded 150.  Most people are happy to get 50% use of their
apartments, so his percentage is quite high.  Active nest in his data means
at least one egg had been deposited in the nest.
 
He has banded for several years, doing 150 each year, and first year returns
have typically been around 25-30 birds.  This sounds to me like an
interesting percentage of returns, but of course this is "coming home" for
young birds that are very much alive, whereas for lots of banding operations
the returns expected are of bands that people have found either on deceased
birds or on birds netted elsewhere.
 
The Easton Purple Martins are currently in the fledging stage, so they are
draped around on any available roosting site near the home gourds.  Their
home place is right beside Hiners Lane west of Rte 50 and just north of the
Talbot County rec center.  Drive-by and driveway stop visits are most
welcome, and the site is the first house on the left side of the road if you
come off Rte 50.  With all the gourd houses in the fenced yard behind the
house, you can't miss it.
 
Les Roslund
Talbot County
Easton MD 21601