Birds of Assateague Pointe
The Assateague Pointe Bluebird Trail was established in the Spring of 2018 with six houses along Assateague Way. Three more were added in the Spring of 2019 for a total nine houses now stretching to the pier area. The hope was to attract Bluebirds since their population has declined over the years. Bluebirds are often mistaken for Blue Jays.
Blue Jay Blue Bird Blue Bird House
Blue Jays are larger with a black stripe on their tale and blue wingspread and back. The male Bluebird is a bolder blue on the head, back, wings and tail with a rust colored chest and white belly. The female is gray with a pale blue head and wings. They arrive in late March early April. The male chooses a house and sits there until a female decides to nest there. Four blue eggs are the usual number of eggs in the nests constructed of pine needles. They are known to nest up to three times a season. The houses are numbered so that each can be monitored. This summer birds, eggs and babies were recorded in at least six of the houses. Not all were Bluebird though. Due to the nesting material, Tree Swallows and Wrens were identified as homeowners also. The houses are monitored and cleaned several times during the season.
The Purple Martin communities were erected in the Spring of 2019. You’ll see one across from the recreation center near the pond. The second one is located in the open area across from the pier. Purple Martins are a dark purple color and have a rich call and chirp. They tend to soar and you’ll notice they have a split tail, not to be confused with the Tree Swallow which has a rounded tail. History shows that Martin houses placed away from human activity go unused. They are social and are tolerant of interaction with humans. Purple Martins scouts arrive mid March when insects become prevalent. Their nests consist of grasses and pine needles and located in wide open spaces near water. They return to the tropics in late Fall.
Purple Martin Purple Martin Bird Houses
Purple Martins have been seen in both community locations. A myth regarding Martins is that they eat large numbers of mosquitoes but they typically prefer larger insects like wasps, moths, and dragon flies which fly 100 feet and above.