A Birding First: Purple Martins Establish Nesting Site on Nantucket
Photo by Libby Buck
This is an exciting milestone in bird history on Nantucket, as Purple Martins take up residence for the very first time! The island's unique position - jutting out into the Atlantic along the major migratory route known as the Atlantic Flyway, means we can often get rare and interesting migrants, with some deciding to stay as their range shifts.
Purple Martins are the largest swallow in North America. Some scientists believe that they originally are a South American swallow, but over time have evolved their migration routes to the north, to take advantage of longer daylight hours in the summer. This video from Purple Martin Conservation illustrates the movements of Purple Martins during their migration.
Historically, Purple Martins have never attempted to nest or breed on Nantucket. They have only been spotted passing through during migration. That all changed on Friday 13th June 2025, when Libby Buck, our Conservation Science and Land Steward here at the Linda Loring Nature Foundation, observed Purple Martins investigating the gourds here on the property, and even bringing back nesting material. An exciting and new birding first for Nantucket! Say hello to the island’s newest neighbors - the Purple Martins!
Photo by Libby Buck
In 2022, Buck installed a set of nesting gourds at the Linda Loring Nature Foundation with the goal of attracting Purple Martins to Nantucket for the first time. Encouraged by reports of the species successfully nesting and breeding on Cape Cod, she hoped the island's proximity would encourage them to expand their range just a bit farther. With support from Mary Keleher, known for her expertise in helping establish Purple Martin colonies, the two assessed the property and confirmed that LLNF offered an ideal nesting site: open grassland habitat near water, which the species requires. As the Cape Cod population has steadily expanded over the years, from Mashpee to Wellfleet, Nantucket seemed to be the next logical step. Pine needles were also added to the gourds to simulate nesting material and help the Martins get started.
Libby Buck, Mary Keleher and Seth Engelbourg at the Linda Loring Nature Foundation
This is more than just an exciting sighting, it’s a milestone in conservation and a testament to the power of research and habitat stewardship. Thanks to Libby Buck’s efforts, Nantucket can now celebrate the arrival of a new breeding species to the island. The Purple Martins’ decision to nest here signals a hopeful shift in their range and opens the door for future conservation opportunities. It’s a proud moment for the Linda Loring Nature Foundation and Nantucket as a whole.
Photo by Libby Buck
Keep an eye out for next week’s Current Nature article on Nantucket Current, where Libby will further discuss Purple Martins on Nantucket, and examine the impact climate change has on their migration habits.
