Purple Martins, Harbingers of Spring

The first day of Spring, March 20, is a special day for folks around these parts who are dog tired of winter. Although we don’t have winters like our friends up north, we still have to contend with drab landscapes, an occasional frost, cold rains and incessant wind. However, the calendar says it’s spring so we have reason to celebrate.

Already our hardwood trees have fresh green leaves and lawns are escaping the dull gray of winter and now are begging to be mowed. My huckleberry bushes are sporting little green berries that in a few weeks will turn to a shiny purple, ready for being converted into cobblers and jam.

The thing though that really shouts SPRING are the sounds you hear from high above, the lilting twitter of purple martins as they prepare to delight homeowners who have martin boxes. Nothing is quite so soothing and enjoyable as sitting on the porch as martins bring spring mornings into a cacophony of song, flit and glitter.

At least that’s the case for homeowners, like Choudrant’s Dick and Trish Albritton, who are blessed with bird houses full of nesting purple martins. Some of us, namely yours truly, seem to have some sort of anti-martin pox. They just flat refuse to nest in boxes I have for years prepared for them.

When I was growing up, having purple martins nest in their yards was a no brainer. Here’s something I wrote years ago that describes it….”When I was growing up out on the rural route, we had martins, the town drunk had martins, people who never took baths and let their kids teeth rot had martins. They were not something you wished for; they were something you had. They weren’t persnickety either. You’d stick something up on a pole and they’d build a nest in it.”

I visited with the Albritton’s recently and Dick shared some information about how he and Trish attract martins. “I have 50-60 boxes plus gourds up in our yard and we have over 50 martins here now” he said. “My boxes formerly had round entrance holes that martins used but starlings did too, and that was a problem. My boxes now have smaller rectangle holes martins have no trouble entering; yet they’re too small for starlings.”

An on-line site about these birds described them this way… “Renowned for their chattering songs, aerial acrobatics, insect eating habits and tolerance of humans they stand as one of America’s most cherished songbirds.”

There are other characteristics of purple martins that Albritton has observed. “Fledglings will return to the spot, often to the same cubicle this spring where they were hatched last year. Also,” he added, “purple martins like to be close to humans so it’s important that their houses need to be 60-100 feet from where people live. There needs to be a water source such as a pond and power lines for perching nearby. They start arriving by late February and begin leaving around mid-July.”

Part of the Albritton’s success with attracting purple martins involves quite a bit of work. “I will lower the boxes before birds begin arriving to clean them out, place a handful of straw in each cubicle before raising the boxes.”

Since my luck in attracting martins seems to be at zero, Dick and Trish Albritton may have to become accustomed to looking out the window and see an old fellow sitting on their porch to watch the birds do what they do. If I can’t have birds in my yard, surely they won’t mind sharing them with me.

Oh by the way, if your coffee pot is perking, I like mine dark with a bit of cream.

FISHING REPORT 

CANEY LAKE –. Crappie fishing has improved in the shallows as the spawn is kicking in. Shiners and jigs are bringing some good ones in. Bass are moving to the shallows and soft plastics and crank baits are starting to pick up fish. Chinquapins are just now starting the bite cold worms. No report on catfish. For information contact Caney Lake Landing at 259-6649, Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
BUSSEY BRAKE – The bass have moved up shallow around the windrows with some double digit fish to 12 pounds reported on soft plastics and spinners. Crappie have moved to the banks and hitting shiners and jigs. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – High water and rising. No fishing report. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE –Crappie have moved to the banks and have been good on shiners and jigs. Bass are on the shallow flats and hitting spinners and soft plastics. Night fishing has been good. Bream are just beginning to hit crickets and worms and catfish are biting. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – Crappie fishing has improved as the fish are moving to the shallows in 2-3 foot water and hitting shiners and jigs. Males are on the beds with big females hanging back just a bit. Bass are also moving in and are being caught on Bandit crank baits and soft plastics. Bream are beginning to respond to crickets and worms in shallow water. A few stripers have been caught. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Crappie fishing is starting to improve as the fish begin their move to the shallows to spawn. Catfishing is good and bream are starting to show up. No report on bass. For information, contact the marina at 318/878-0101.
LAKE YUCATAN – Water rising rapidly. No fishing report. For info call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.