To survive in science you need perserverance. The purple martins of Nashville can provide an example in survivorship.

Jean travelled to Vanderbilt, a beautiful campus in the vibrant city of Nashville.  She attended a series of meetings on vaccine development with fellow collaborators.  Following the meetings, on Saturday evening after a meal of Nashville hot chicken and french fries, Jean went for a walk around the city.  Nashville, known for its rich musical heritage, the historic Schermerhorn Symphony Center stood as one of the cultural gems in the heart of the city.  Jean had played cello in the high school orchestra so she was anxious to see the Schermerhorn Center. 

As Jean was walking to the building she noticed thousands of birds were flying over-head.  Indeed, a colony of purple martins had been spotted near the symphony.

A passionate ornithologist named Dr. Tancredi was sitting taking notes. His love for birds, especially purple martins, was well-known throughout the community. Dr. Tancredi had dedicated his life to the study and conservation of these beautiful and social birds, which nested in colonies, creating a mesmerizing spectacle in the skies. 

Jean walked over to Dr. Tancredi to ask about this amazing site and sound.  Dr Tancredi explained that Purple Martins had been migrating through Nashville and stopping on they made their way to Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil for the winter. But recently, they have been roosting in the ten trees outside of the Symphony Center. Each day around sunrise the birds spread out across Middle Tennessee to find insects to eat. At sunset, the birds return downtown by the thousands.

Driven by his passion and curiosity, Dr. Tancredi embarked on a mission to study and protect the newly discovered colony. The purple martins had found this place to rest during the COVID pandemic.  With all restaurants and stores closed in the spring of 2020, the purple martins thrived near the Schermerhorn Symphony Center and within the trees right out front.  Initially, Dr. Tancredi organized educational programs to raise awareness about these migratory birds. He invited schoolchildren and curious citizens to witness the incredible sight of the martins gracefully soaring in the sky, creating a living symphony of movement.

The Center however, did not fully embrace the newfound avian residents. As symphony goers arrived in their gowns and suits it was about the same time as the thousands of birds flew back, and several gowns and tuxedos were decorated with more than just bowties and jewels. And the limestones was beginning to be damaged by the bird poop.

Dr. Tancredi tried to turn the Schermerhorn Symphony Center area into a haven for both art and nature. He wanted a place where people from all walks could come to witness the annual return of the purple martins, making it a cherished tradition in Nashville. But ultimately, the center decided to cut the trees down before the next migration brought the birds back.

But the birds were not deterred.  Nashville was a good stopping place on their way to South America. So, in 2024 the purple martins found a new resting place, a group of trees near the Nissan Stadium.  And, perhaps football fans would be less persnickety than symphony aficionados.