A Conservation Milestone Achieved at the Linda Loring Nature Foundation

In an exciting milestone for island conservation, Purple Martins, North America’s largest swallow species, are nesting on Nantucket for the first time ever. After years of strategic conservation efforts at the Linda Loring Nature Foundation (LLNF) led by Conservation Science and Land Steward, Libby Buck, these aerial insectivores have officially taken up residence, marking an unprecedented addition to the island’s breeding bird population.

Purple Martin pair on the gourds at LLNF. Photo by Libby Buck

Sub-Adult Male Purple Martin. Photo by Libby Buck

Three Years in the Making

On June 13, 2025, Buck witnessed the moment she had been waiting for. Two Purple Martins bringing nesting material into the gourd housing she installed on LLNF property.

The journey began in 2022, when Buck installed a set of gourd-style nesting structures at LLNF, with guidance from Mary Keleher, affectionately known as the “Mother of Cape Cod Purple Martins” and construction assistance from Sean Mack. The goal: to attract martins to Nantucket, inspired by the species’ slow but steady recovery on Cape Cod.

With an ideal habitat, open grasslands, access to water, and minimal tree cover, LLNF was a prime candidate for expanding Purple Martin territory. Yet attracting these highly social birds wasn't easy. For three years, Buck maintained decoys and played recorded calls near the site. Finally, in 2025, her efforts paid off.

The pair that arrived in June, a sub-adult male and an adult female, were first spotted scouting the site on June 5th, and just over a week later, were seen actively nesting. On June 27, a total of four eggs were laid and by July 14, they had all successfully hatched. 

Two of the four chicks. Photo by Ajay Devendran @ardframes

Libby Buck opening the gourd. Photo by Ajay Devendran @ardframes

Banding the Purple Martins

This summer, LLNF not only initiated a new population study, but also expanded their research on migratory birds. Buck, a master bird bander, successfully banded the four Purple Martin nestlings, placing identification bands on these young birds under federal and state permits. This means that if they are spotted in the future, they will be traced back to Nantucket.  

LLNF is excited to continue banding efforts in the future and is eager to learn more about the travel patterns of these remarkable birds, how often they return, and just how long they can live.

Libby Buck placing a band on a Purple Martin chick. Photo by Ajay Devendran @ardframes

Libby Buck placing a band on a Purple Martin chick. Photo by Ajay Devendran @ardframes

Linda Loring Nature Foundation staff with the first banded Purple Martin chick on Nantucket. Photo by Ajay Devendran @ardframes

Since 2013, researchers have been banding Purple Martins at various colonies in Cape Cod, and we’re hopeful that this effort will help build a broader network of information about these fascinating birds. 

Interestingly, it was discovered that the sub-adult male at LLNF’s site has been previously banded. Records show that this bird fledged from Wellfleet, Massachusetts, in July 2024. Purple Martin expert Mary Keleher shares that only about 10 percent of young Martins typically return to their exact birthplace. Many of them do return within a 100-mile radius, which is why we are hopeful to start a colony on Nantucket, as the Cape Cod populations continue to expand.

Looking Ahead 

The LLNF team are closely monitoring the chicks, and are expecting all four to fledge any day now. Buck and the team are cautiously optimistic about the potential for an expanding colony in the years to come. With Purple Martins’ strong site fidelity, the pair is likely to return and hopefully bring friends!

Visitors can view the Purple Martin gourds from the trails at the Linda Loring Nature Foundation, 110 Eel Point Rd, where interpretive signs provide background information on the species and conservation effort. We encourage the public to avoid pesticides and plant native to support insect populations, which in turn support bird populations.

This success story highlights the power of research and conservation and gives hope not only for Purple Martins but for other species adapting to a changing climate. Their northward expansion and successful breeding is a promising step forward and opens the door for future conservation opportunities. This would not have been possible without the community around us. Your passion, your engagement and your support of our work allowed us to dedicate resources and time into this project, and as a result, you have brought a new breeding bird species to Nantucket.

Libby Buck with one of the Purple Martin chicks. Photo by Ajay Devendran @ardframes