Dopey, Sneezy and Ed are now little FLOOFBALLS!

This picture was taken right around the 20 day mark, their final nest change before Fledge Day. The diatomaceous earth really did the trick, as I couldn't find any trace of parasitic mite activity inside the compartment or on them.

All three of these little purple martins fledged successfully, and joined the rest of the colony to hunt insects. I see them on occasion, stubby little birds among the adult martins.

Nesting season is winding to a close here in central Arkansas. The birds are on their way to the giant pre-migratory communal roosts, where their sheer number can be tracked using radar as they head to South America before the weather cools.