“It’s interesting how these birds have endeared themselves to so many people in the province in such a short span,” says Lee. She suggests that human affinity for martins is based on a combination of their striking plumage, exuberant vocalizations and gregarious personalities. “They have a cheerful, chortling, melodic call and they appear to live next to people quite happily.” Certainly, awareness about purple martins on the West Coast has increased in recent years, and their annual return from the tropics is now a highly anticipated event.