Purple Martins

Purple Martins leaving the roost at dawn 8/9/25, Stafford, Texas.
The first minute or so the trees are still full of Martins with lots of chatter and fidgeting as the birds get restless to fly. The next minute or so the birds start flying out one or two at a time, straight out from the trees. Next, the birds start flying out in bunches. Near the end, there is a climax with thousands of bird swirling around to gain altitude, then departing out in different directions.