The Flight of the

Purple Martins

photos courtesy of www.purple-martin.biz

Purple Martins are among the most beautiful and entertaining spring and summer birds.  They have even been called America's favorite bird!  It is for this reason these birds are the main attraction for Jefferson locals and national birdwatchers from May to July. Hundreds of birdwatchers scout the arrival of the Purple Martin to the area.

photo courtesy of www.birdwatchersdigest.com

Twice a year, about 8 million purple martin birds migrate through southeast Louisiana and use Lake Pontchartrain as a stopover point.  During spring and summer, more than 200,000 of these birds have adopted the understructure of the southern end of the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge. 

Spanning almost 24 miles, the Causeway Bridge holds the record for being the longest road bridge in the world

The Purple Martins have made this area of the bridge their roost area.  In July, between 8 - 8:15p.m. each evening, bird-lovers and spectators gather to watch the birds swoop in and out of the structure.  The sight of over 200,000 Purple Martins all diving, swooping and creating swirl patterns in unison is a truly breathtaking sight.

photo courtesy of www.decaturdaily.com

Since this spectucal has become so popular, the New Orleans Marriott Metairie at Lakeway, which is located next to the Causeway Bridge, has a specialty drink in their bar, Bar 38, called the Purple Martin.

Photo courtesy of New Orleans Marriott Metairie at Lakeway