It’s a bird?
Yes, it certainly is a bird. Just like a scene out of Alfred Hitchock’s “The Birds” but in real life. Thousands and thousands of birds call Lake Murray home for the summer.
The purple martin is a part of the swallow family and every summer 1 million+ take flight to Bomb Island, providing a glimpse at this natural phenomenon right in the Midlands.
Why do they come here?
Think of it as summer vacation. You’d want to spend the warmer weeks by the water too, am I right? The purple martins roost on Bomb Island from the end of June to the start of August.
#ProTip — the best time to see them is just before sunset + they will continue flying until the sun goes down.
Bomb Island is the largest sanctuary for the purple martins in the United States. The birds have been known to fly up to 160 miles every evening + take shelter in the trees on this uninhabited island, which was once used as target practice during World War II.
The purple martins are not on the endangered species list; however, they have faced a significant decline in population in recent years due to a loss of habitat + not as many folks providing bird houses to establish a nesting habitat.
They typically stay on the island before flying to South America for the winter months, which means you have plenty of time to see them this summer.
How to see them
Taking a boat to Bomb Island provides the best view of the purple martins in action. No one is allowed on the island during the summer months, so be sure to stay on your watercraft once you get there.
If you don’t have a boat, here is how to rent one locally. If you want to take a ride + learn more about the purple martins, Wingard’s Naturalist, Zach Steinhauser, is offering an educational experience Monday through Friday beginning on July 5 and running through Aug. 27. Sign up for a tour here.
