Expanded Purple Martin Nest Housing at Lums Pond State Park

The Purple Martin colony started at Lums in 2024 had a banner year in 2025 as all 18 of the gourds had nests that fledged juvenile martins. The location at Area 2 of the park, just a stone’s throw fro the pond, shows signs of being an ideal location for nesting martins. Thanks to the generosity of a Delaware Audubon supporter and the cooperation of the DNREC staff at the park, the number of gourds at the colony was increased ahead of the 2026 season.

The first of the Purple Martins will be arriving in Florida later in December, and the first scouts are expected to arrive at the Lums Pond colony sometime around the middle of April. The first eggs will appear in the second half of May, and egg laying will continue through the month of June. Volunteers will be conducting weekly nest checks and will be reporting the data to either NestWatch or the Purple Martin Conservation Association.

If you are in the vicinity of Lums Pond State Park, be sure to stop by Area 2 anytime between the middle of May and middle of July to experience the lively Purple Martin activity there.