Hopewell Township police are investigating the incident as an arson and are asking for any information from the public.
HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP -- Five bird houses home to purple martins were tossed into a fire pit at the St. Michaels Farm Preserve recently, killing some birds and injuring others, officials said.
Hopewell Township police are investigating the incident as an arson and are asking for any information from the public.
Police spokesman Lt. Chris Kascik said the incident is disturbing and the department has notified state wildlife authorities and township fire investigators to assist
"We're really hoping someone out there has information for the investigation," Kascik said.
The Mercer County Wildlife Center is currently caring for five surviving purple martins.
A citizen reported the incident to police on the morning of July 5 after finding the charred remains of the five houses, and bird bodies, at a fire pit in a picnic area. Kascik said.
Four of the houses were specifically for purple martins, acrobatic birds known for their deep dives when landing. The other bird house was a general bird house.
The distance from the bird houses to the fire pit is about 225 feet, Kascik said.
It's all about the birds -- Purple Martin Spectacular
The last time the person saw the bird houses intact was July 1, and police suspect whoever is responsible for the crime likely committed it on July 4.
The preserve, owned by the D&R Greenway Land Trust, is just south of Hopewell Borough, between Aunt Molly Road and Hopewell Princeton Road.
Bird lovers and organizations typically build colonies of bird houses meant to attract purple martins.
The Wildlife Center Friends, which supports the Mercer County Wildlife Center, is raising money to assist in caring for the surviving martins.
The friends group sent an alert to supporters that the birds will eat 60 meal worms an hour, every hour, for 12 hours a day and they will need this diet for about 30 days.
Anyone interested in donating to the effort can purchase a gift certificate for meal worms via Nature's Way or make a donation on the group's website, wildlifecenterfriends.org
Anyone with information for police can call Kascik at 609-737-3100.
Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook.