Austin’s most must-see attraction is perhaps it’s least talked about one: The purple martins. Thousands of purple martins, a type of swallow, roost in the Austin area every July and August as they head back to South America. After the sun goes down, the birds swirl in the air on their way to bed, forming what looks like a tornado of black spots.
I got to see the phenomenon at one of Travis Audubon’s Purple Martin Parties last summer, and it was one of those moments where you remember how small humans are. I’m not even trying to be dramatic – the birds were tear-jerking, gave me goosebumps, and dare I say, are a better spectacle than the bats at Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge.
Male purple martins are a blue-black color, and females have a bit of gray with a white belly. The birds like to roost in trees or man-made structures in urban and suburban areas. That’s why I’m about to recommend two parking lots for you.
You have lots of time to see the birds, but I highly recommend going to one of the Purple Martin Parties in the next couple weeks. The events, which are free to attend, are this Friday and Saturday and Aug. 2-3 at 8 p.m. at La Frontera Village in Round Rock. Bring an umbrella or make sure you’re wearing a hat to avoid getting pooped on, pack a camping chair or blanket, and bring water and snacks! You’ll be with dozens of other bird enthusiasts, so get there early.
You don’t have to wait for the weekend though. The birds do their thing during the week, too.
Just promise me you won’t forget to bring your sense of wonder, alright?!
We originally reported the wrong location to see the purple martins in Austin. We regret the error.
