Purple Martin Recovery
Nest box monitoring and maintenance support the recovery of this vulnerable species.Mission
To support the recovery of vulnerable Western Purple Martin (Progne subis arboricola) populations by improving local breeding success through nest box installation, ongoing monitoring, and long-term stewardship.
Why is this important?
Western Purple Martins are blue-listed in British Columbia and rely almost entirely on artificial nest boxes for survival. Historically, they nested in tree cavities along shorelines, but by the mid-1980s their population had declined to as few as five nesting pairs, largely due to habitat loss and competition from non-native species.
Today, the population is estimated to be between 1,800 and 2,250 individuals — thanks to ongoing nest box programs and conservation efforts.
How are we contributing?
From One Box to Thirty
Since 2015, we have supported provincial recovery efforts by installing and maintaining nest boxes in the Skwelwil'em Wildlife Management Area of the Squamish Estuary. What began with a single box mounted on a marine piling has grown into two dedicated nest structures, each housing 15 boxes.Watching Over the Colony
Each year, a dedicated team of volunteers cleans and inspects the boxes, monitors breeding activity, and reviews nest camera footage to document nesting stages and behavior. This volunteer-collected data plays a key role in guiding adaptive management decisions.Volunteer Opportunities
From spring nest prep to summer monitoring and fall maintenance, there's a role for every schedule.
Whether you're out in the field or reviewing nest camera footage from home, you'll be directly contributing to the recovery of one of BC's most vulnerable birds.
Questions about this program?
Reach out to our Program CoordinatorDavina Dubé
[email protected]Who are we working with?
This program began as a collaboration between Nature Squamish, the Squamish River Watershed Society (SRWS), and the local community. Since 2015, Nature Squamish has led the initiative with support from partners, funders, and species experts.
We gratefully acknowledge the Squamish Nation for hosting nest box structures on their lands. Key partners, including the South Coast Conservation Program and the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, have provided permitting support and guidance.
The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation provided initial funding to launch the program. More recently, BC Nature and the BC Naturalists Foundation have supported nest box upgrades, while Seaspan Shipyards has supported the construction of new land-based nesting structures and the installation of interpretive signage.
Special thanks to John Buchanan (Nature Squamish) for designing and building the nest boxes and land-based structures, and to Bruce Cousens (GBEARS) for providing invaluable technical expertise and commentary on all aspects of the project.
