New Favorites of the Yard

I've really come to enjoy watching these little aerial acrobats that have come to our place to nest. And they make the most amazing sounds; chirping and whirling, one vocalization even sounds like R2D2. lol I think they're Purple Martins, but please correct me if I'm wrong.

I love to watch and listen to them too. Darting and swooping around, making all kinds of happy clicky, trilling, R2D2 sounds. Always makes me smile.

They are the neatest little birds! I wish my camera was better so I could really capture their beauty. I like to sit outside and drink my morning java while watching their antics too. My new winter project is to build another Martin house. Or two. Or three. lol Just love 'em.

Do we have Martins in BC

According to my western bird field guide, yes you do.
Purple Martin range: Southern Canada to Northern Mexico, Gulf states. Winters South America.

Build a Martin house and they will come.

Most awesome!! Thanks for sharing, have a wonderful day, CynthiaM.

Now to find plans for a Martin house...

Nice! I don't think we have martins but we have barn and violet-green swallows here and I LOVE watching their aerial antics. They're amazing fliers and I love them cleaning up our feathers and bugs Such a relaxing way to unwind by watching them. Any bird that likes to eat insects not my ducklings or eggs is welcome around here

Hope you don't min here's some of the swallows I've been enjoying lately


Love this one looks like a cartoon just need an anvil falling too hehe


We also have a Killdeer family living in the yard this year and I've had a great time watching and taking pics of them which is far easier than those swallows that never seem to rest and have no pattern to their flights

I definitely don't mind! Those are some great live action shots.  Thanks for sharing!
And yes, they seem to be bug eaters galore. Between the Martins and the dragonflies, we hardly have mosquitoes, and this is with a large pond and plenty of waterways in the area. Martins rule!


Sucellus, I hadn't planned on really looking for house designs until later in the fall. Too much other stuff on the go right now. If you happen across a good one, please do share and I'll do the same.