Purple martins

[Greg Schneider]

What would be the best place to go to see a purple martin house? I've heard there are houses in Rondeau, and maybe Long Point?

[Brian Bailey]

I expect there are numerous places in Toronto.  One that I know of is at the house on the west side of Eleventh Street where it meets the lake, in New Toronto.  That is 3 streets east of Colonel Sam Smith Park, just west of Rotary Park.

There used to be one on the clubhouse of the Yacht club at Sam Smith Park, but it fell down before last season, and has not yet been replaced.

BB

[Greg Schneider]

Is the one near Col Sam accessible, or literally in someone's backyard? If someone can confirm Rondeau that would be great - thinking of going down there for Forster's terns and some other birds soon. I assume Forster's breeds there?

[thouc]

Purple Martins are fairly common at Rondeau, there are numerous Martin houses so you shouldn't have any problems seeing them there.

Forster's Tern can often be seen in Rondeau, otherwise there's a big colony in Hillman Marsh near Point Pelee.

/Thomas

[Brian Bailey]

Eleventh Street runs right to the lake, so when you get to the end, you are beside the backyard with the martin house.  The house is high enough and the fence low enough that you can see it from the street.

Martin populations aren't doing too well, but you don't have to leave Toronto to see them - yet.

BB