PhilConein t1_j9sdvlt wrote on February 24, 2023 at 5:25 AM

Hello, RVA... my name is Phil Conein. I don't hide behind a meme. I saved those trees from being chainsawed by the city. Yes, they are Barford Pears. Yes, years ago they hosted the largest rootings population of Purple Martins on the east coast. The flock was so large, it showed up on the radar. People would travel for miles around to witness this rare event of them flying all over the sky dashing in to find their place on a branch of their favorite Pear tree. Also, it is a true experience to have the pedals rain down on you like falling light pink snowflakes when the Pear Trees turn green.

-B001- t1_j9sguqt wrote on February 24, 2023 at 5:55 AM

I remember the Purple Martins -- they came a few years, right?

jonato t1_j9t34kz wrote on February 24, 2023 at 10:43 AM

Thanks for sharing this!

jbs23235 t1_j9ta0e2 wrote on February 24, 2023 at 12:07 PM

I took my kids down to see the purple martins years ago it was pretty amazing!

PhilConein t1_j9v101f wrote on February 24, 2023 at 7:30 PM

It lasted about 4 years until they moved on down the River. In the end, people would experience the unusual witness to urban wildlife when three different species of wing raptors would show up. Red-tails, Falcons, and Cooper Hawks. They would perch and wait until the Purple Martins would roost and then strike, and capture one, fly off to feed their hungry chicks. Part of nature.