A friend told me he thought he saw a flock of purple martins flying with and sitting in a tree with blackbirds (probably grackles).  He didn't have binoculars with him, and wasn't extremely close, but he was pretty sure of the martins.  This was on the bay, apparently on the eastern side near Hart-Miller Island.  The birds would sit in a large flock on the tree, then fly out for awhile, then back, apparently.  The large tree was on a farm - pastureland or agricultural land yet there was no martin house. My friend was in a boat, offshore. 

The theory is that - maybe - the birds were resting during or preparing for migration.  But it seems strange to both of us, so he's doubting what he thought he saw.  

Do Purple Martins ever flock with other birds, particularly grackles? 

Joanne

Joanne Howl, DVM

West River, MD