Fascinating Purple Martins Migration Sunset Tour on Lake Murray, SC

The purple Martins phenomenon on Bombing Island on Lake Murray, SC is an event you don’t want to miss. On July 15, 2021, we took a sunset tour departing from Lexington, South Carolina, to witness one of nature’s most incredible summer spectacles—the purple martins gathering at Bomb Island.

This small, 12-acre uninhabited island, also known as Doolittle Island, has a fascinating history. During World War II, it was used for bombing practice in preparation for air raids over Japan. Today, it is a protected wildlife sanctuary and home to one of North America’s largest purple martin roosts. Each summer, from July through August, more than 800,000 purple martins gather here to spend the night.

Before reaching Bomb Island, Captain Zack made a stop near an osprey nest. We were treated to the sight of a mother osprey and her two “teenage” chicks. One of the young birds took flight and soared directly over our boat. It was amazing to see—it looked nearly as large as its mother.

After our osprey encounter, we continued on to the purple martins. Despite their name, they aren’t truly purple. The males have glossy, iridescent plumage that appears deep navy blue with black, while the females are mostly dark gray with only subtle hints of blue. They are the largest members of the swallow family and are graceful, acrobatic fliers. They spend most of their day on the wing, catching flying insects such as dragonflies, beetles, moths, flies, and wasps. Although they’re often thought of as mosquito eaters, mosquitoes actually make up only a small part of their diet.

Watching these birds swirl through the evening sky against the backdrop of a stunning Lake Murray sunset was an unforgettable experience. It was an evening filled with history, wildlife, and breathtaking scenery—an experience I’ll never forget.

Over the years, purple martins in eastern North America have transitioned almost entirely from nesting in natural tree cavities to using gourds and martin houses provided by people, like the ones I photographed along the lake. Adult martins often return to the same nesting colony each spring, and their young typically fledge about four weeks after hatching.

References Bomb Island, SC Picture Project, Discover SC, Purple Martins on All about Birds