Mobile Bay Audubon Projects

East of the Rocky Mountains, Purple Martins nest almost exclusively in human-supplied housing. They are dependent on us for their survival. They are one of America’s most well-loved songbirds for many reasons; their chattering song, aerial acrobatics, insect-eating habits and their tolerance of humans.

MBAS is funding and installing two eight gourd systems with predator baffles to increase the viability of the colony established at the 5 Rivers Delta Center.  Our towers have been installed and the first two Purple Martins scouts have been observed (27 Feb) inspecting the "New Homes" near the Tensaw Theater.  Please stop by and greet the birds as they arrive en masse over the coming weeks.  Purple Martins like having people around as it keeps predators away.  We are working to place signage at the site along with a platform to provide additional nest bedding (Pine Straw) and a calcium supplement (Crushed Oyster Shells) for the birds to eat.  This supplements natural forms of calcium that they find on their own, all to build stronger egg shells. 

MBAS, with support from our South Alabama Land Trust partners, funded and placed 38 nest boxes within Live Oak Landing, Blakeley SP, Meaher SP, 5 Rivers Delta Center and Village Point Park Preserve/Bayfront Park.

Several new Purple Martin houses, funded by MBAS, were placed overwater by the City of Fairhope Public Works in Sept '23.  These were replacements for houses lost to recent hurricanes.