These stations significantly increase our chances of detections, improving our understanding of foraging and roost behavior, and phenology of departure times. Thanks to The Nature Conservancy, the Tennessee Regional Motus Collaborative, the Nashville Zoo, the University of the South, the 2 receiver stations in Warner Parks, and the University of the South, there are now 14 Motus receiver stations within Middle Tennessee including a temporary receiver station at the Bridgestone Tower in downtown Nashville. With a special federal permit, we radio-tagged a maximum of 3 martin nestlings from each nest when young were 20 days of age at 3 locations in Nashville: Warner Park Nature Center, Ellington Agricultural Center, and Bells Bend Outdoor Center. This year, thanks to donations from the Symphony and the Nashville Zoo, we purchased more Cellular Tracking Technology LifeTag radio-transmitters. This year we expanded upon 2021 when we radio-tagged 6 Purple Martin nestlings at the nature center to see if they joined the large downtown migration roost at the Nashville Symphony (they did!). Radio-tagging and Post-fledgling Behavior Banded and color bands: Our federally and state-permitted researchers banded 23 nestlings with a USGS band and a blue numbered leg band on the other leg for individual identification.Nestlings and fledglings: 26 nestlings and 23 fledglings.2 gourd systems with 24 available gourds.This year’s results for the nature center: At the end of the season, all nest check data were submitted to the Purple Martin Conservation Association. Nests were checked weekly to document nesting activity, number of eggs, or nestlings. At the nature center, martins typically cover a completed nest with cherry leaves before eggs are laid. Nest Success at Warner Park Nature Center: Martins began to build their nests of grasses, weeds, sticks and mud beginning in mid-May. This year our first observed martin at the nature center was on 21 March 2022, and the last detected by our Motus receiver stations was on 30 August 2022. Phenology: Each spring we document the first arrival of Purple Martins to Warner Parks as they return from their wintering grounds in South America, departing again in early fall for their 3000+ mile journey. We have an opportunity with the Urban Bird Treaty Program to ensure Nashville provides habitat and reduces hazards to birds such as martins while ensuring communities and businesses can thrive. It was promising to have multiple interest groups come together in Spring 2022 to find a solution to the removal of the Nashville Schermerhorn Symphony Center martin roost trees with the goal to ensure the safety and to minimize disruption of the Purple Martins. We hope that our research and public education and engagement help to inform a better understanding and compassion for these birds. Unfortunately, and typical of aerial insectivorous birds, martin populations have declined significantly. Purple Martins are adaptable birds with strong associations with humans. In 2021, we began radio-tagging martin nestlings, a new component of our research, to better understand post-fledgling behavior. Each year from March-August, we document Purple Martin gourd nest use at Warner Park Nature Center. Purple Martin Research Project began in 2000 with the goal to assess arrival & departure dates, reproductive success, and population trends at Warner Parks.
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