Over 100,000 Purple Martins are expected to roost in Nashville later this month, but where exactly? That’s still a mystery.
If you’re new to Music City or have missed this stunning sky show before, purple martins stop here each summer as part of their migration to South America. Nashville Urban Bird City recently spotted 10,000 at Fort Nashborough, so the full flock isn’t far behind.
How to help now
- Nashvillians are encouraged to report sightings via this online survey to support research, education, and protection efforts. You can drop a map pin, estimate flock size, and upload photos — just be sure you’re spotting purple martins, not European starlings.
- Metro Parks is also seeking volunteers through mid-August to help monitor the birds and engage with the public. Volunteers receive training on the birds, their roosting history in Nashville, and how to answer questions from curious onlookers.
Purple martins have slightly forked tails, and are known to feast on flying insects between 150-500 ft off the ground. Pro tip: Listen out for “throaty, bubbling chirps.”
Once the roost is confirmed, we’ll share when and where to see the spectacle for yourself. Last year, they used trees near Nissan Stadium as their roosting spot.
