Since 2003, Nashville has become a temporary home for tens of thousands of migratory purple martins in late June through mid-August. Attracted to Nashville’s trees and the Cumberland River, these night-roosting birds will likely stay for 8-12 weeks or longer before making the long journey to South America for the winter.
An estimated 100,000 purple martin friends have returned to Nashville, and here’s everything you need to know about them.
🐦 What Makes Purple Martins Special
The largest swallows in North America, purple martins are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, making it illegal to harm or disturb them. They nest in colonies, producing one clutch of three to six eggs per season. The young leave their nest at around 28-29 days old.
Migrating purple martins travel over 10,000 miles every year. Their diet consists primarily of flying insects, and they also drink in flight, skimming the water’s surface. These vocal birds have at least 11 distinct vocalizations, from bubbling chirps to creaky rattles.
They’re one of the few birds almost entirely dependent on humans for their nest sites.
🏟️ Where Are the Purple Martins This Year?
Our migrating purple martins have caused controversy in the past, when they roosted at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, damaging the trees and causing thousands of dollars in cleaning costs. The Symphony cut down the trees, but thankfully, the purple martins have found a new home. 75,000 have roosted at the Nissan Stadium, and 25,000 near Printers Alley at the intersection of 3rd and Church St.
Unlike the Symphony, Nissan Stadium is welcoming the birds, and working with the Nature Conservancy and local wildlife organizations to educate visitors.
🕣 The Best Times to See the Purple Martins
- Head out to Nissan Stadium in the evening to catch the purple martins flocking around the trees surrounding the stadium. Volunteers from the Urban Bird Treaty will be at the roost each evening to educate and engage the public.
- Friends of Warner Parks is hosting a Purple Martin Watch Party tomorrow, July 31, from 7-9 p.m. at the Nissan Stadium in parking lot H.
👋 How to Help the Purple Martins
- In 2023, Nashville signed the Urban Bird Treaty, signaling its dedication to conserving urban habitats for birds and educating the public. They’re offering several ways to help Nashville’s purple martins. If you’re interested in volunteering, email [email protected].
- Make and hang gourds for purple martins to nest in.
- Grow native plants and don’t use pesticides to encourage insect life.
- Donate to the B.I.R.D. research program through Friends of Warner Parks.
