Friends of Boggs Mountain members have recently taken on the installation of
a Purple Martin nest box on Mac’s Trail. The Purple Martin (Progne subis), is
the largest member of the swallow family in the world. They are uncommon
spring and summer visitors to Lake County, and we have been fortunate to
have them nesting in Boggs Mountain State Forest. Their typical nesting sites
are natural tree cavities or abandoned woodpecker holes. However,
throughout the United States the Martins are more and more breeding in
human-made Martin houses. So, several members decided to see if they could
entice the Martins to do so in BMSF. Darlene Hecomovich donated a nest
house with four nesting compartments; Joe Fusek provided the expertise of
mounting the heavy box on PVC piping to bring it to the desired height of 12
feet above ground level; and Peg Landini and David Thiessen rendered the
yeoman’s work of helping Joe install it. This nest site was selected because the
Martins have used tree cavities in this area in previous years.
The Violet-green Swallows as well as other passerines such as the Western
Bluebird are also cavity nesters and may Tind the Purple Martin nest box
desirable. What we don’t want to see is an appropriation of the nest box by
either House Sparrows or European Starlings, both highly invasive species
that would take over the Martin’s sites, destroy eggs, and kill nestlings.
So, Friends of Boggs Mountain extends an invitation to all of you to take a hike
up Mac’s Trail and in approximately three-Tifths of a mile up the trail on the
left-hand (west) side you will have a view of the nest, and hopefully, some
Purple Martins!!!
