J.C. Martin 7/9/25 J.C. Martin 7/9/25

At Home With The Martins Of Sherwood Island

Two male Purple Martins check each other out from their perches which are a part of the gourd station at their colony at Sherwood Island State Park.
Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com ***Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.***

Purple Martin families have called Sherwood Island State Park home since 2013, when the colony was first established by Tina Green, an avid birdwatcher and enthusiast of the species. The largest member of the swallow family, Purple Martins have thrived in the park thanks to Ms. Green's dedication and expertise and the help of bird loving volunteers. As a former president of the Connecticut Ornithological Association and a current member of the Avian Records Committee of Connecticut, she has played a significant role in promoting awareness and conservation of these birds in the region.

We have Phil Donahue to thank for this gift of nature

When former Westport resident Phil Donahue, one of the first and most well-known daytime talk show hosts, sold his Beachside Avenue home, he generously donated 24 Martin gourds to the Friends of Sherwood Island State Park. This contribution supports the park’s ongoing efforts to provide habitat for native purple martins, helping to sustain the local bird population and enhance the natural environment for visitors and wildlife alike. The donation reflected Donahue’s love of nature and commitment to the Westport community and its natural preserves.

Milan Bull, Senior Director of Science and Conservation at The Connecticut Audubon Society, collaborated with Ms. Green and the Friends of Sherwood Island to establish the colony. Their efforts quickly proved successful, and twelve years later, all 36 gourds in the colony were fully occupied for the first time since its creation. This milestone marked a significant achievement in the ongoing conservation work, demonstrating the positive impact of their dedication and collaborative approach.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

The Sherwood Island site was very attractive to the Martins due to its location in a quiet section of the park adjacent to the Nature Center near the east end of the park. Martins are known for being selective about their nesting sites, and in the eastern United States, they typically only nest in gourds like those seen here or other artificial houses provided by humans. This preference makes the carefully placed gourds at Sherwood Island an ideal habitat, encouraging these birds to settle and thrive in the area.

After spending a few months in South America, primarily Brazil, Purple Martins begin their long migration back to North America. Adult Purple Martins typically arrive between January and May, followed by subadults arriving 4 to 12 weeks after the adults. About 4 to 6 weeks after arrival, the birds start nest building, preparing suitable sites for raising their young. At dawn, males engage in singing, which plays a crucial role in territory defense and attracting mates. Following this, copulation occurs, leading to egg laying. Once the eggs are laid, incubation begins, with adults taking turns to keep the eggs warm until they hatch.

Come watch as we band our Purple Martins

On Friday, July 11th at 9:30 a.m. at the Nature Center Ms. Green and a crew of volunteers will be banding the Martin colony. This unique opportunity allows the public to witness the banding process. Volunteers can lower the gourds using a pulley system to safely access the birds for banding and during the season to monitor the Martin colony’s progress and health. Each bird will be carefully banded to record vital data and potentially track their movements.

Bird banding data are invaluable tools in both scientific research and conservation management efforts. By allowing for the individual identification of birds, banding enables detailed studies of dispersal patterns and migration routes, which are critical for understanding species’ movement and habitat use. Additionally, banding provides insights into behavior and social structures within bird populations, helping researchers assess interactions and hierarchy. Long-term data collected through banding activities contribute to estimates of life-span, survival rates, and reproductive success, all of which are essential for monitoring population dynamics. These insights inform conservation strategies aimed at promoting population growth and ensuring the sustainability of various bird species.

Afterward, the gourds will be raised back into place, returning the colony to its normal status. We invite everyone interested in bird conservation and nature to join us for this educational event.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

Three male Purple Martins share their perches. The bird on the left has a visible band, the orange object on the birds leg.

Much more to see and enjoy on “The Island”

The Purple Martins make quite a journey from South America. We know that many New Yorkers flock (bad pun) to Westport to enjoy the summer and our beaches. Perhaps these pigeons flew up from New York to enjoy some seaside dining. Although they are not usually found at the beach as park employees told WestportLocal, there they were, very busy this day and seemed to be quite pleased to be enjoying whatever morsels they found as the foraged.

A short walk from the nature center will take visitors along a path to the north where bunnies are busy as well, enjoying their favorite meal.

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

Speaking of meals, the picnic tables at Sherwood Island State Park beckon visitors to enjoy an afternoon picnic. One caveat; if you walk away from your picnic table voracious seagulls thank you for leaving your food unguarded.

As Metro North and Amtrak trains rumble past the Osprey platform at the north end of the park, mama Osprey is unconcerned, instead focused on feeding her chicks which are approaching the age when they will take their first flight. The Osprey below may possibly be her mate searching Long Island Sound for a fresh fish dinner to bring home to the nest..

Photos and Story By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

J.C. Martin 7/6/25 J.C. Martin 7/6/25

A Look At Westport's Biggest Party As The July 4th Holiday Winds Down

July 4th is a very special time in the town of Westport. Not everyone in town was at Compo Beach on Wednesday, but it almost seemed that way as thousands began to arrive as early as 6:00AM (or earlier, perhaps) to stake out their turf with a careful arrangement of lawn and beach chairs and some fairly large sized tables where their carefully curated foods and beverages would be set.

Compo Beach looking east alongside Soundview Dr. was filled with celebrants and many strolled Soundview visiting with friend and neighbors as they awaited the big moment when the first shell s would be fired (see below Fireworks Spectacular)
Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress. ***Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.***

The party at Bob's Beach Shack on Soundview was in full swing where friends gathered to enjoy the day. Nearby, a newbie was introduced to the essential sport of beer pong. Compo lifeguards strolled along after their shift, and new Chief of the Westport Police Department David Farrell worked his first shift as Chief, along with Deputy Chief Ryan Paulsson.

Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

here were a few empty chairs here and there, waiting for the rest of the groups of friends to gather.

For the last few years this group of friends grabs this prime spot on South Beach and decorates their tent with the Stars & Stripes.
Pictured here are: Lauren LoFrisco, Andrew Montgomery, Bethany Kapadia, Amanda Montgomery, Anne Izzi, Carl Weiss, Richard Bernard, Eric Wuchiski, Ketan Kapadia, Kevin Paradis, Lisa Pinney-Keusch, Andy Levi, Cheryl Driscol, Anyhony LoFrisco.

The mood throughout the day was one of excitement and joy as folks took selfies, recorded their kids having a blast. These four friends took up residence on the landmark Compo Beach cannons where they were happy to spend a bit of their day together. Others raised a glass to toast the day while others enjoyed a bit of sports with the Melissa & Dog barge in the harbor, surrounded by pleasure craft where more party goers found their happy place.

As the sun set the lighted toys and sparklers created a glow up and down the beach as the start of the show drew near.

Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

With all the wonderful foods from one end of Compo Beach to another, the lines at Hook'D on the Sound were short. At right, Dan Woog captured an image for 06880 of former first selectmanJim Marpe, Jen Tooker, Charlie Haberstroh and RTM member Jimmy Izzo.

Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress. Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

The barge is ready to go and is surrounded by boaters waiting for the show to begin.

J.C. Martin 7/4/25 J.C. Martin 7/4/25

Happy 249th Birthday America!

Photo by J.C. Martin and Story By America’s Founding Fathers For WestportLocalPress.com

How Old Is America? The Simple Answer:

The simple answer is that as of the July 4, 2025, the United States is 249 years old. The United States is 249-years-old because the Declaration of Independence was ratified by the US Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. The passing of the Declaration of Independence meant that the thirteen original British colonies in North America ceased to be colonies and officially (at least according to them) became a sovereign nation.

Today is a great day for parties, barbecues, etc. It is also a great day to read the Declaration Of Independence.

But there is more to it than that.

On July 2, 1776, Congress voted to declare independence. Two days later, it ratified the text of the Declaration. John Dunlap, official printer to Congress, worked through the night to set the Declaration in type and print approximately 200 copies.

The written Declaration of Independence was dated July 4th but wasn't actually signed until August 2nd. Fifty-six delegates eventually signed the document, although all were not present on that day in August. Two of the Declaration's signers died 50 years to the day (July 4, 1826) after the document was adopted. Both were presidents -- Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. They died within hours of each other. More can be found on the National Archives Website.

Below is a start and the link to the full Declaration, one of the greatest documents ever written by man.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

To those who love fireworks and picnics but also have a desire to acknowledge and pay tribute to those who created the greatest nation in the history of the world, Morgan Freeman introduces some of the most famous celebrities in the world who read the document that change the course of history for us all.

We suggest it is worth viewing. It is a less than 15 minute video. If you do not have 15 minutes to watch in its entirety, the reading by Michael Douglas, Kathy Bates, Whoppi Goldberg, Edward Norton, Winona Ryder, Renee Zellweger and others begins at 4:30 into the video and is about 5 minutes.

Click the YouTube link below:

We Hold These Truths To Be Self Evident

And for the boomers and others who are well familiar with this voice, another reading: Senator John F. Kennedy Reading Declaration of Independence, 4 July 1957

Also, here is the link to the text of the entire Declaration: The Declaration Of Independence

J.C. Martin 7/3/25 J.C. Martin 7/3/25

Thousands Enjoy Westport PAL And Melissa & Doug's July 4th Fireworks Spectacular

Westport dodged the rain storms forecast for the week and on Wednesday night there were clear skies and a warm, sunny day making this years July 4th fireworks simply spectacular.

Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

Fireworks by Gucci, America's first family of pyrotechnics and holders of the Guinness World Record for the "Largest Fireworks Display" ever recorded gave Compo Beach the kind of thrilling show we have come to expect every July 4th. They know how to light up the night sky, having done so worldwide for more than 150 years.

Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

in 1979, the Grucci's became the first American family to win the Gold Medal for the United States at the annual Monte Carlo International Fireworks Competition. Headquartered in Bellport New York, they have global reach with regional offices in Las Vegas, Nevada, Radford, Virginia. Oahu, Hawaii, Doha, Qatar, Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Liuyang City, Hunan Province, China.

Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

The sights and sounds were a thrill for the thousands who arrived at Compo Beach throughout the day, with some queuing up early in the morning to grab their favorite spot for the friends and family to gather.