Recommended reading

If you're interested in learning more about attracting the Purple Martin to your yard or farm, I definitely recommend the Purple Martin Conservation Association's website. To learn more about assisting other cavity-nesting species in the Upper Midwest, an excellent source is the website of the Bluebird Restoration Association of WI. Both sources provide information that will lhelp you successfully attract and maintain housing for purple martins, bluebirds, tree swallows, and other cavity-nesters. See the links in the sidebar to the right for more information.

Other more general conservation-related links are found in the sidebar as well.

the beginnings of a Purple Martin initiative in southeastern WI

A group of southeastern Wisconsin partners have met this week to begin a Purple Martin "initiative" here, in Milwaukee County's parks and other areas, and eventually to expand to other areas of Wisconsin. We're looking to obtain unused purple martin housing of any type, to be refurbished if possible, and re-installed on better locations - both to attempt to establish new colonies, and expand existing ones. If you have a used apartment-style martin house or gourd system (either of which is currently in place but not attracting martins), please join us in this effort to enhance this species' population. We would appreciate any donation of martin housing in good condition. If this sounds interesting to you, please contact me at iltlawas@earthlink.net or 414-698-9108.