“In
order to see birds it is necessary to become part of the silence.”
~ Robert Wilson Lynd
~ 1879 ~ 1949
~ Irish writer, editor of
poetry, urbane literary essayist & strong Irish nationalist
A
Purple Martin fledgling watches as its mama begins to fly off after bringing it
food – likely to bring back more – on a beautiful mid-July day at Leaser Lake,
in the shadow of the northern Blue Mountain Ridge, New Tripoli, Pennsylvania.
Papa Purple Martin is perched above the nesting structure.
This
gorgeous summer day was the first time I’ve ever spotted Purple Martins, and
they were wonderful to see!
I
created this image by blending my shot of the Purple Martins with one I took of
the lake the same day, July 15, 2021.
Despite
their name, Purple Martins are not truly purple. Their dark blackish-blue
feathers have an iridescent sheen caused by the refraction of incident light
giving them a bright blue to navy blue or deep purple appearance. In some light
they may even appear green in color.
Leaser Lake’s namesake is Frederick
Leaser, an American patriot who in September 1777 with his farm team hauled The
Liberty Bell from Philadelphia to Allentown where it was concealed in Zion
Reformed Church for protection during the Revolutionary War. His homestead is
located one mile north of the lake.
Leaser
Lake was built by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission for water-oriented
recreation and opened for public use in 1971. Lehigh County leases this area
from the state and operates and maintains the park. The land north of the lake
was purchased by the county in the early 1970s. It is entirely wooded and is
used for nature study and as an addition to the State Game Lands No. 217.
Information
near the nesting structure at Leaser Lake provided by the Lehigh Valley Audubon
Society, Leaser Lake Heritage Foundation and Lehigh County states: “The Purple
Martin is the largest species in North America of a family of birds called
“swallows.” The thing you’re looking at is a nesting structure built
specifically for these birds.
Purple
Martins are one of America’s iconic birds. They have an affinity to live near
humans – so much so, that all of the Purple Martins east of the Rocky Mountains
now rely on nesting structures like these, supplied by humans. For over a
thousand years, Native Americans provided nesting gourds for these birds,
recognizing their useful habit of eating insects like mosquitoes and crop
pests.
But over time, Purple Martin populations started to decline. Why? The widespread
use of pesticides has reduced the available insect food source of these birds.
In addition, they have faced increasing competition for nesting habitat with
invasive European Starlings and House Sparrows. Now, more than ever, the Purple
Martin population needs out support.
Martins
lay from two to seven eggs, which hatch in 16 days. Parents feed the chicks
insects for about 30 days, after which all the birds begin their three thousand
mile migration to Brazil. They return to Pennsylvania in April to begin their
nesting cycle.”
