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Purple Martin Parties
Free to attend, no registration required
Travis Audubon is hosting Purple Martin Parties, where hundreds of people congregate to watch hundreds of thousands of Purple Martins “swirl” into their roosting site. Birders and non-birders alike will be entertained by the show, so bring your family, friends, and neighbors and join us for an evening of fun.
Purple Martins begin roosting together by the thousands in early summer, as soon as their chicks leave the nest, in preparation for their migration to South America, where they live during our winter.
After dining on insects during the day and prior to settling down for the night, these highly social birds put on a spectacular aerial acrobatics show before landing in roost trees. Onlookers from previous performances described it as, “a hurricane of birds,” “way cool,” and “better than the bats!”
Binoculars are optional, but lawn chairs, cameras, and hats are highly recommended!
Please bring drinking water – it will be hot!
EVENT MAP: LOCATION AND PARKING
A special thanks to Discount Tire and BH Properties for their support!
Want to learn more about Purple Martin Parties? Join us at a Purple Martin Pre-Party Presentation
Learn all about Purple Martin history, migration, lifecycle and roosts. Register for either Friday, July 18th or Saturday, July 26th. Presentations will be from 7:00 – 8:00 PM at Jason’s Deli, and then participants can walk over to join the party at the Roost. $15 for members and $20 for non-members.
Discount for Purple Martin Party Guests at the Blanton Museum of Art
Did you know that the Blanton’s immersive Butler Sound Gallery has sound art that incorporates recordings from a Purple Martin Party? You can also hear other local birds and wildlife, from the golden-cheeked warbler and black-capped vireo to Mexican free-tailed bats. Mention “Purple Martin Parties” at the Blanton’s Check-In to receive $5 off admission, now through August 31.