A Purple Martin Nest Story: 2023 Nestcam

Watch as a nest of Purple Martins at the Purple Martin Conservation Association headquarters in Erie, PA progresses from eggs to fledglings.

Our 2023 nestcam family enjoyed a successful breeding season after a rocky start in which most of our oldest resident breeding adults died of cold/starvation during an early spring winter storm. Luckily the nestcam parents arrived after the threat of cold weather had passed and set to work raising a brood of 6 nestlings despite the constant threat of aerial predators.

The parents, four year old banded male #Z567 (nicknamed "Zip" after the zip tie that he brought to the nest) and his mate (nicknamed "Helen" after the character Elastigirl from 'The Incredibles' due to the rubber band she brought to the nest) successfully raised six nestlings to fledging and are all on their way to overwinter in the Brazilian Amazon. We hope to see them return in 2024!

This stream made possible thanks to a grant from the Tom Ridge Environmental Center Founation

Soundtrack used in order of appearance:
Ukulele Beach, Doug Maxwell
Toy Piano, Wayne Jones
Danger Snow, Dan Henig
Watercolor Lilies, Aaron Kenny
Glory Be, Patrick Patrikios

[woongjohn]

I can't wait to watch this. I will miss watching stream online until next year

[donaldemrick]

Have lived in ohio, tex coast, and s. Central nebraska. Built many houses for PM in texas. In texas the pm started nesting early marc. We're gone by mid July. Been in nebraska last 40 years. Discovered the plastic starling proof houses. What a relief to not fight off the invasive Sturnus vulgaris. Here in nebraska the pm arrive ( the early scouts ) April 9th. They leave in mid August. It is such a joy to watch them and there aerobatics. Have been a birder since I was about 8 yrs old. The PM is one of my favorite birds.

[TheJedi]

Helen and Zip were wonderful parents! Hope this family have a safe trip and a nice wintering season. Thank you for the amazing video, PMCA!

[ihr]

I can't help but tear up at the end of every nesting period. I am so glad this nest was successful and I hope they all have a safe and healthy flight to the rainforest. Thank you PMCA for the wonderful nestcam!

[KYPurpleMartin]

Awesome collection of the entire nesting season! Great work from Joe and the PMCA staff! Thanks for all you do for Purple Martins and the people that love them!

[Ultima]

Excellent! I am already looking forward to next season and the return of our beloved Purple Martins❤

[Monix]

This is so beautiful. I'm sorry that I missed it with the live chat, but thank you everybody. I hope @sue is better, thank you @Sarah, @Beaz, @PurpleMartinConservationAssociation, thank you everybody. The best for everyone, for the birdies and all. ☺️ 😢🙏☺️🐦

[ravenbone]

It's like they're smiling at the camera when they look directly at it and pant. So cute!

[friendsofricelakenationalw]

This was awesome to watch! Thank you for sharing!

[dany]

I missed out on the live stream this year 😢 But am happy to see that this summer Helen and Zip had this beautiful brood 🥹 Good luck! 🍀 Until next year… 👋

[julianasilva]

These eyes, the little babies were cuties :)

[CoopsTroops]

This is so awesome!! Thanks for all that you’re doing to preserve, protect and educate about Purple Martins.

Next time it would be great if it could slow down the fun facts as a few went by too fast to read or cut each other off so couldn’t read at all.

Thank you 💜

[tarmon]

Great video!
Amazing
Mom opening the egg!

[jdslott]

Awesome video! Great summertime life cycle, from PM nesting to fledging, and even some predator protection - way cool. Love the PM facts running on the side.
What cameras do you use? I can see what my next PM project is going to be ... LOL 😎

[wolverex]

Feel a little bit bad for the hawk but it all ended well! ❤

[christmassnow]

🎶 Sometimes I feel like somebody's watching 👀 me 🎵

[PercyQuattro-bvfj]

Can you add a list of equipment you used to set up your gourd camera system and link to YouTube? Thanks!

[kevinsnyder]

I sure wish I could help but over 40 years ago the starlings took over the nest box's then 10 years ago it fell down I havnt seen a Martin rounds these parts or a cedar waxing for 25 + yes. Very sad environment round these parts

[lyric]

😟🥺 oh my! I had to stop the video, is that another bird coming into the nest to harm the babies?! And was that a predatory bird on top at one point before that?! 😭 I can't finish this. But thank you for the beginning peaceful parts. 😔

[theyinkler]

What’s the best kind of camera to film like this?
Very cool to watch, thanks for the great content