Early Bird: America’s beloved Purple Martins return to Texas

Spotting of birds in North Richland Hills, TX. marks state's first sign of spring

Erie, PA (January 23, 2025)—In a sure sign that spring is not far behind, the first Purple Martins of the year have been spotted in Texas.

The birds were seen on January 16 in North Richland Hills, Texas by a Purple Martin enthusiast – one of many throughout the eastern and central United States who track and report on the birds’ annual migration on behalf of the Purple Martin Conservation Association. The migration of these unique birds can be reported and tracked through a community science project called the Scout-Arrival Study.