The Martin Show

Alan and I made a sunset visit to Arthur Pack Park yesterday, seeking the Gilded Flicker that had given him the slip this week. Sure enough, a fine male was feeding on the sand at the edge of the golf course, and we had great looks at a bird not all that easy to find in Tucson nowadays.

More impressive, though, was the flock of Purple Martins massing on the wires on the way to their night-time roost. Our tally of 150 was no doubt low, but it was impossible to count every one of the swirling mob as they flew in. The numbers may not impress those of you used to the multitudes at some southeastern roosts, but add in the saguaros silhouetted against a thundery sky, and, well, we win!