Conservationist John Buchanan recently shot this video of western purple martins using the nesting boxes that Squamish Environment Society volunteers, including Buchanan, installed in the Squamish Estuary.
One structure was installed last summer, the other earlier this month.
Older migrating purple martins arrive first, with younger birds arriving next, about two weeks later.
According to the Squamish Environment Society, they are totally dependent on artificial nest boxes.
They will depart in late summer.
The nesting box project, which began in 2015, was started as a partnership between the environment society, the Squamish River Watershed Society (SRWS), Squamish Birders, and other dedicated individuals in the community.
The environment society now manages the project, with support from the birders and other locals.
The Seaspan decal on one nest in the video is in honour of the company’s donations, which helped to move the nesting structures from their Howe Sound water-based home to their current new and improved location.
Find out much more about the nesting box project on the Squamish Environment Society website.
