North America’s Swallows – Purple Martins

Did you know, Connetquot Preserve is home to a colony of Purple Martins? Purple Martins are beautiful, graceful flyers that live in colonies, depend on man-made housing and feed exclusively on flying insects. Martins overwinter in the Amazon Basin and start their spring migration into North America around the end of January, showing up in Florida in early February. Depending on weather and food supply the first Purple Martins, called scouts, arrive on Long Island around the first week of April to start their breeding season. Most Martins in this area start heading back south by the beginning of August. Enjoy Ranger Ken’s presentation on Purple Martins and then he will lead a hike into the field for observations!
Lectures are free for members of Friends of Connetquot. Non – members pay $5/person.
Please consider becoming a member and enjoy our programming all year long.
Seasonal parking rates apply.