CALHOUN COUNTY, S.C. — In Calhoun County, the sound of purple martins chirping is an indication of springtime. Fifty years ago, the the St. Matthews Rotary Club built birdhouses for their homecoming during the warmer months.
To this day, about 10 birdhouses still line the streets and the purple martins flock to them every year.
The purple martin has become a trademark of the town of St. Matthews. It started in 1969, when former Calhoun County resident David Byke went to Illinois. It was during that trip he learned about the benefits of purple martins in helping control the insect population.
He brought what he learned to the St. Matthews Rotary Club who built birdhouses for the purple martins to nest.
“It’s become our local bird," said Calhoun County library bookkeeper Melissa McLeoud.
The birdhouses are regularly maintained in preparation for the birds' annual return. According to the Purple Martin Conservation Association, the birds rely heavily on shelters built by humans for survival. The houses can be seen around St. Matthews, and even outside some neighbors' homes.
“There’s a large population at Lake Murray and they migrate in the winter but they do come back to where they have their summer houses and they like it here," said McLeod.
The increasing popularity of the bird led to the inception of the county's annual Purple Martin festival that draws crowds from across the state. This year, it celebrates 50 years.
There will be a street dance Friday night at 7 p.m. outside the St. Matthews town hall. Saturday morning, there will be a parade through downtown at 10 a.m. followed by the festival from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.