This roost is at the corner of Howerton Street and Interstate Drive. In 2016
David Hanni sampled the martins as they entered the roost site on August 10th
and estimated 60,000 birds present. Unfortunately, this area is being bulldozed
for a road between Howerton and Oldham Street in conjunctions with I24 bridge
repairs. About 10% of the vegetation will remain in a strip adjacent to the
interstate.
The location of this roost was known about since 2004 from NEXRAD imagery but
it was Scott Somershoe who found the exact location in 2009. (For the report
see https://www.purplemartin.org/research/19/project-martinroost/?roost=306 ;
<https://www.purplemartin.org/research/19/project-martinroost/?roost=306>)
Several years ago the birds moved to the north side of Oldham Street for 2
years when part of the original roost was mowed. Unlike the the original site,
which is behind a large truck stop with a fence and bright lights, the Oldham
location is at the edge of a parking lot with no protection. A local PUMA
enthusiast told me he would park his car at the edge of the parking lot to
watch the birds drop in. I don’t know if his actions disrupted the roost.
Interestingly, last year in early August, a friend of mine saw 300 to 400
martins go to roost in some ornamental trees on the side of a tall bldg at the
SE corner of the Shelby St. walking bridge and 3rd Ave, across from the
Schermerhorn Symphony Center. A few birds apparently also roosted in some trees
on a deck of that building.
In early August I’d like to assemble a team to watch for roosting martins in
different areas around the original roost. Let me know if you’re game.
Afterwards we could meet somewhere for a beer and share what we saw. Let me
know if you’d like to be a part of this event!
Melinda Welton
Nashville, TN
