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By Kelli Nesbitt, Parks & Recreation Marketing Coordinator
Every summer, a spectacular natural phenomenon unfolds right in our backyard. Tens of thousands of purple martins gather in College Station, preparing for their remarkable journey across the globe to South America. By late July and early August, this local roost can swell to more than 100,000 birds!
You can witness this breathtaking event firsthand at the free Purple Martin Watch Party on Wednesday, July 22, from 7-9 p.m.
Event Details & Schedule
Participants will meet in the lobby of the Wildlife, Fisheries and Ecological Sciences Building (534 John Kimbrough Boulevard) before walking together to the nearby Texas A&M West Campus Garage, where an estimated 30,000-50,000 purple martins gather.
Along the way, Texas A&M researchers, students, and local experts will share insights into the birds’ incredible migration, local conservation efforts, and bird-friendly campus initiatives.
The schedule includes:
- Welcome & Introduction: An introduction to purple martins and their annual migration patterns.
- Bird-Safe Glass Tour: An overview of the Bird Friendly Aggieland collision studies program, highlighting campus bird-friendly initiatives.
- Guided Walk & Watch Party: A short walk to the viewing location, with volunteers pointing out the gathering flocks as the main watch party begins.
Why Purple Martins Matter
As the largest swallows in North America, purple martins travel thousands of miles each year between Texas and their wintering grounds in the Amazon Basin. Interestingly, in eastern North America, these birds depend almost entirely on human-provided nesting structures. In return, they provide excellent natural pest control by feeding on flying insects.
The watch party celebrates a stunning wildlife event and the powerful partnerships working to protect these birds. The event is a collaborative effort by Texas A&M, the Department of Ecology & Conservation, the Rio Brazos Audubon Society, the City of College Station Parks and Recreation Department and the Conservation Advisory Group.
Registration & Parking
To help organizers plan for refreshments, please RSVP by completing the online registration form.
Paid visitor parking is available in Lot 97 near the Wildlife, Fisheries and Ecological Sciences Building. Visitors with mobility concerns may park closer to the viewing area in the West Campus Garage or the Reed Arena parking lot. A small parking fee applies in both locations.
For directions, please consult the Texas A&M campus map.
Additional Resources
Want to learn more before you go? Check out these resources:
For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 979.764.3486 or email parks@cstx.gov.
About the Blogger
Kelli Nesbitt has served the Parks and Recreation Department for 20 years, including 13 years as marketing coordinator. She also served a year and a half as the marketing and community engagement specialist for the City of Bryan from 2023-25. A Bryan native, Nesbitt earned a bachelor’s degree in health and kinesiology from Sam Houston State.
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