Purple Martins have a new home at the Cold Brook Preserve

Thanks to generous Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT) donors and a savvy bird expert, beautiful Purple Martins have a new home at the Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve in the heart of Harwich Port. A striking gourd rack has been installed, with hopes that feathered friends soon take up residence.

This winged adventure took flight when an email arrived from Mary Keleher, noted Cape Cod birder. She wrote: “I recently visited Robert F. Smith Cold  Brook Preserve…the restoration of the area is amazing…I believe the area would be a perfect location for Purple Martins.”

First, we had to find out more about these super-cool birds that have a deep connection with humans.

Purple martins have a gorgeous iridescent sheen. Photo courtesy Mary Keleher.

According to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), “the purple martin is one of North America’s most beloved songbirds. It is known for its skillful aerial exhibitions, tolerance of humans, and pleasant twittering call.”

You may wonder if purple martins are actually purple. Here’s how that works, according to the Sacramento Audubon Society: “Purple Martins have an iridescent sheen (luminous colors that appear to change when viewed from different angles) which can appear as navy blue, green, or dark purple.”

And folks have been trying to attract these splendid, insect-eating purple martins for a long time.

According to the state of Connecticut, “Native Americans hung hollow gourds in saplings or on poles to encourage nesting in their villages. When European settlers arrived in the New World, they also adopted the custom of hanging gourds for martins.”

A purple martin gourd rack was installed at the Cold Brook Preserve. Photo courtesy of Harwich Conservation Trust.

Human-made housing is essential for martins to thrive. According to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, “although Purple Martins can still be found using natural cavities in the western United States, in the east they are now dependent on human-maintained nesting structures like gourds or houses.”

It quickly became apparent that helping out these martins (the largest of the North American swallows), seemed like a grand idea. But who would know more about the houses that martins desire? You guessed it: Mary Keleher!

It turns out that Purple Martins love gourd racks, adorned with cool-looking and durable gourds. Keleher, who has worked on gourd rack projects on the Cape and Nantucket, advised HCT on the best rack to acquire.

Generous donations flew in from HCT supporters, and just like that, a purple martin palace appeared at the Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve.

If you haven’t seen a gourd rack, you’re in for a treat on your next visit: it looks like a beautiful, modern village in the sky. How could the purple martins resist?