Alice - what you saw was more likely a swarming flock of Tree Swallows. Most left their nest boxes about Jul 1 to disperse and congregate prior to migration. Tree Swallows young and old are dark above and white below. Purple Martins on the other hand are a mix of some birds (juveniles) white below and dark above, adult females grey below and dark above and adult males totally dark all over. If you saw none of these dark birds in your flock, you were most likely looking at a gathering of swallows, not martins.
Bob YunickSchenectady, NY
-----Original Message-----
From: Alice Grau <[log in to unmask]>
To: VTBIRD <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thu, Aug 1, 2019 9:53 am
Subject: [VTBIRD] flock
Saw a large flock of what to my naked eyes appeared to be martins while walking on Swinton Road Bridport early this morning. White underbellies and dark heads, wings and backs. They had gathered in a tree and swarmed off when my dog and I approached. Have also noticed flocks of likely starlings gathering in the fields near our home. Are they thinking of migrating already? Summer is wonderful but always too short! Alice
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