request for assistance with martin housing in southeast WI

If you are willing to help the Purple Martin Partners of southeastern Wisconsin by volunteering a few hours in August and September to help us put up new martin housing, or refurbish used housing, we'd be very glad to have your assistance. If you are interested but have no time to help, we also welcome any donations of cash for materials, and/or used martin housing or gourds in good condition. For more information or to volunteer, contact Bill Mueller, WSO Conservation Chair, 414-698-9108, or e-mail iltlawas@earthlink.net - Thanks in advance for any assistance or donation.

Purple Martin roosts

Purple Martin roosts are now forming in a number of areas in the Unites States. Roost behavior at the largest sites can be observed on NEXRAD. Since many Wisconsin birds are still at nesting sites, it may be a few weeks before any are forming here. But if you see what you think is a roost, you can learn more and report it at the PMCA Project Martin Roost site, here. Remember that PUMA is an early fall migrant, with most birds gone from Wisconsin before September.

new potential PUMA site at WI Humane Society in Milwaukee

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Our good friend Scott Diehl has installed the Purple Martin gourd assembly we provided at the Wisconsin Humane Society, on 45th and Wisconsin, in Milwaukee. Looks great, Scott! Now we'll wait and see if southbound juveniles inspect it next month, along with the other installations we've made this year.

At the Fond du Lac County location where I installed a martin house in May, adults have been coming over from another nearby active colony, perching on this new house, but not staying long. Maybe juveniles will check that one out in August, too. We'll see.