Purple Martin Meadow
The Purple Martin meadow at Meigs Point was established in 2017. It includes native perennials and shrubs. (see pictures below)
- Purple Martins are beautiful songbirds that arrive in Connecticut from South America around April and nest in the white houses.
- Martins are listed as a species of special concern by Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
- Meadow provides ample space for the birds to nest and feed their young. Tall plants offer privacy.
- Flowers provide insects for food, the birds also like to be near bodies of water or wetlands.




Fun Facts
- Purple martin parents may feed their chicks up to 60 times a day with high protein insects.
- Purple martins eat and drink midair (“on the fly”), flying over a pond or other body of fresh water scooping water as they go over
- Purple martins that live east of the Mississippi are almost 100% reliant on man made housing, either cluster housing or gourds.
- Purple martin populations are especially vulnerable when there is a rainy cold spell and insects are not available. Whole colonies have been lost.
- Purple martins travel from North America to South America to migrate, a journey of up to 2500 miles
- Purple martins can fly up to 40 miles per hour while doing incredible aerial maneuvers.
For more information visit CT DEEP
Some beautiful photos (courtesy of Terry Shaw) and more information below







