Norm:

Another possible explanation is that the Purple Martins are arriving earlier 
and hence fledging their young and leaving earlier.  I have kept fairly 
detailed records for my martin colony for fourteen years.  This year the 
first males arrived on March 21, more than two weeks earlier than than they 
did in 1997.  The gradual change in arrival dates has been fairly linear. 
This year my colony was very successful with no sign of losses due to the 
heat.  The last martins just left a few days ago, also two weeks earlier 
than they did a decade ago.

Stephen Hult

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Norm Saunders" <>
To: <>
Sent: Monday, August 02, 2010 7:27 AM
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Purple Martin Disappearance


> According to the Yellow Book, Purple Martins are present in good numbers
> through the end of August then quickly group up and head off south, with
> only very small numbers left in  September and October, then not showing 
> up
> again until March.
>
>
>
> I've had a Purple Martin house up for three seasons now and my 
> observations
> have been very close to the Yellow Book, at least until this year.  I live
> beside Sinepuxent Bay, just south of Ocean City, and my community has many
> Purple Martin houses.  All of them this year were empty, with no local
> activity, from mid July.  My question is, could the brutal temperatures
> during that part of July have led to nesting failures or other causes fort
> the birds to leave at such an early date?
>
>
>
> Norm Saunders
>