Castroville Parks Purple Martin House Workday

We are organizing a work day to clean and winterize the purple martin houses at Castroville Regional Park, and we’d love your help! This is an important part of keeping the houses safe and ready for the birds’ return in the spring.

Purple martins are the largest member of the swallow family in North America. They are highly social birds that nest in colonies and are almost entirely dependent on human-provided housing east of the Rockies. Every spring they migrate thousands of miles from South America to raise their young here, and the upkeep of their houses makes a big difference in their survival.

On our work day, we’ll be lowering the houses, cleaning out nesting compartments, making repairs if needed, and preparing them for the winter months. No special skills are required—just a willingness to pitch in. Tools and supplies will be provided, but please bring disposable gloves and dust masks and dress for the weather.

This is also a great chance to learn more about purple martins and their care, as well as to connect with your fellow Master Naturalists.