From this geocache location, you can view a Purple Martin house and, if you are lucky, Purple Martins perched on top. The Friends of Brentwood Park volunteers established this Purple Martin house in 2012 in memory of Renald Ferrovecchio who died in a gas explosion in his home on Payne Ave. on Jan. 9, 2012. A nearby memorial bench is also dedicated to Renald.
Purple Martins are a type of songbird in the swallow family and have been called “Austin’s new bats” due to their large population and impressive aerial displays at certain roosting sites.
Purple Martin Facts:
Purple Martins nest almost exclusively in human-supplied housing, such as the house here.
Purple Martins can be seen around Austin from about February to September each year. They migrate to North America to breed and return to South America for the winter.
Purple Martins are insectivores, primarily eating flying insects such a mosquitos, moths, and flies. They are beloved by many for the belief that they help control the local mosquito population.
Purple Martins are know for their chattering song and their skilled aerial displays as they twist and turn to catch their prey mid-flight.
Despite their colorful name, these birds are not actually purple. Their plumage dark blue-black with an iridescent sheen that may look bright blue, navy blue, rich deep purple or even green depending on the light.
The Travis Audubon Society hosts Purple Martin Parties at major roosting sites in Austin and encourage people to come out to watch as hundreds of thousands of Purple Martins “swirl” into their roosting site each evening. The location changes but, as of 2017, a large roosting site was at the Texas Land and Cattle at I-35 and 290.
Information compiled from Travis Audubon Society, The Spruce, Austin Public Library, Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, and Friends of Brentwood Park.