I saw six purple martins at Liberty Park this morning while doing the Summit County bird census. They are apparently nesting in the plastic gourds just to the north of the Dog Park, which is just to the north of the athletic fields along Liberty Road. This is in the far northeastern section of Summit County. 


The martins were around the gourds closest to the road. There are two sets of gourds.


I saw four youngsters and two adults. But, there could be more. It was getting hot this morning when I saw them. I was on my way back to my car at the end of my walk.


You will be able to tell the young martins from the tree swallows just by size. And, they were calling. They sound a little bit different then the tree swallows. 


Note: If you haven't had enough of the cicada madness, just walk along the edge of the woods in that area. There are a gazillion of the bugs in that area. The noise will drive you crazy. They are swarming all along the path, in the trees, in the grass...Wow! I have seen/heard them in other areas; but, not like what I saw/heard this morning. It was kind of creepy! The Ledges area of that park farther to the north is also buzzing with the bugs. It was difficult to listen for and find birds over all that buzzing. 

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