tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9942094000788059732024-03-12T21:39:25.341-07:00Purple Martins in WisconsinBill Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309074316200909388noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994209400078805973.post-58364086360990082052011-07-08T07:31:00.000-07:002011-07-08T07:34:06.379-07:00Purple Martin success at Forest Beach Migratory Preserve!Three martin houses each have nesting birds this summer! Photos to come soon. Thanks for help with house installation from the teram present at International Migratory Bird Day, and more - and from Mike Hoffer of the Ozaukee-Washington Land Trust and his interns.Bill Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309074316200909388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994209400078805973.post-45599901038786802402011-04-29T12:02:00.000-07:002011-04-29T12:11:47.029-07:00new activities for 2011<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMItT4g2yTY6p_nQGvOwpp31YogAJu7fMN9Uf-mNYCraaTLvwiIHKKw5UfFiEU4SE-xTm88n1EyUBEoeuc961Zx1eZoo8C03Kn2ohIuxahdZKM60jybNIg7U-EBn03UmwaTlBdjgUvxQ/s1600/450px-Progne_subis_-Cape_May_Point%252C_New_Jersey%252C_USA_-nestboxes-8.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMItT4g2yTY6p_nQGvOwpp31YogAJu7fMN9Uf-mNYCraaTLvwiIHKKw5UfFiEU4SE-xTm88n1EyUBEoeuc961Zx1eZoo8C03Kn2ohIuxahdZKM60jybNIg7U-EBn03UmwaTlBdjgUvxQ/s320/450px-Progne_subis_-Cape_May_Point%252C_New_Jersey%252C_USA_-nestboxes-8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601084902205883426" border="0" /></a><br />Purple Martin activities for our group are about to go into motion again for 2011:<br />e-mail me to learn how you can help!<br /><br />Bill Mueller at: iltlawas@earthlink.net<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(Image source: Wikimedia Commons)</span>Bill Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309074316200909388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994209400078805973.post-3240569459841420272010-05-10T19:53:00.000-07:002010-05-10T20:01:40.503-07:00new martin house at Forest Beach Migratory Preserve<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKa_hHn1dPFP_IrutfglDhyaxMhavlZAKOp9oTvOqqMGygfOgaynkW62ki5vLvtq5p5K4ESs2lqR2uILvvcvdFrtSYaP0VV5RzxA2GTNttEJXH4aYys5d37kgTsMmpMyAYt-6nqNHY-s/s1600/early+May+2010+a+014.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469840708692873762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKa_hHn1dPFP_IrutfglDhyaxMhavlZAKOp9oTvOqqMGygfOgaynkW62ki5vLvtq5p5K4ESs2lqR2uILvvcvdFrtSYaP0VV5RzxA2GTNttEJXH4aYys5d37kgTsMmpMyAYt-6nqNHY-s/s320/early+May+2010+a+014.jpg" /></a><br /><div>With some great assistance from Dennis Kaehny and Tom Schaefer, a new martin house built by Whitefish Bay Eagle Scout Domi Lauko is now up at Forest Beach Migratory Preserve in northern Ozaukee County. Also devoting their time to this effort this weekend to put in the foundation were Carl Schwartz, Andrew Struck, and Mark Feider. Thanks to everyone for your help! </div><div> </div><div>New martin houses are still planned for several other southeastern Wisconsin locations this year. Contact me if you'd like to help, or donate to a fund for parts, hardware and poles. (Bill Mueller, at <a href="mailto:iltlawas@earthlink.net">iltlawas@earthlink.net</a> )</div><div> </div>Bill Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309074316200909388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994209400078805973.post-60303084011342176802010-03-22T03:29:00.000-07:002010-03-22T03:31:22.334-07:00looking for help with martin housing this AprilWe're looking for volunteeers to help us erect new and used martin housing in southeastern WI this April. If you are interested, contact me at <a href="mailto:iltlawas@earthlink.net">iltlawas@earthlink.net</a>Bill Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309074316200909388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994209400078805973.post-76563391771263889562010-01-15T12:05:00.000-08:002010-01-15T12:27:07.252-08:00new construction for Purple Martins!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbVGB9rrdtB9BtPkB54qHr4d1LoCj4J8R0Ofu9m8rulNya0NTi5Dugkuzxkf9Mt8iXGGDW9NjfAUTBPzVWzSQNNwLOUn7DJb_PTGLnD1HYFOX_YtQptB9InD8a9bAmDZzRpBXt3upF24/s1600-h/january+2010+a+007.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427060948215145906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbVGB9rrdtB9BtPkB54qHr4d1LoCj4J8R0Ofu9m8rulNya0NTi5Dugkuzxkf9Mt8iXGGDW9NjfAUTBPzVWzSQNNwLOUn7DJb_PTGLnD1HYFOX_YtQptB9InD8a9bAmDZzRpBXt3upF24/s400/january+2010+a+007.jpg" /></a><br /><div>High school student Domi Lauko of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin decided he wanted to do something different for his Eagle Scout project. He met with us and made plans to provide us with several new houses. At the time, I did not realize that he really meant "several"! He then enlisted the aid of his fellow scouts to build a number of new martin houses (the photo shows a few of them stacked up in storage at the Urban Ecology Center in Milwaukee). We're finding sites for them and will install them this spring at various locations in southeastern Wisconsin. Thanks to Domi for a job well done. New martin colonies are hopefully not far off!</div><div></div><div>In 2010, if you would like to help our group install new martin houses and gourds; or collect, repair and refurbish older used houses (in good condition, only, please), contact me at <a href="mailto:iltlawas@earthlink.net">iltlawas@earthlink.net</a></div><div></div>Bill Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309074316200909388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994209400078805973.post-48454146565774704482009-10-29T05:21:00.000-07:002010-01-15T14:31:08.029-08:00autumn martin news<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwfzMxwahGiAz-fizfuJUBG1sHaoJxtW6zOC9smlqbfxax1mfh3X4YFOvVk-bSPPDiephFPUW-tN2zLagv88pbNhX7qeFO6QCVb1GRdk4HFyoRkFDqLnJpXyDyaL8GljFGQIA62Tk-JA/s1600-h/PUMA+1980s+TGBarnes.exe"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 261px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397996245294964434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiwfzMxwahGiAz-fizfuJUBG1sHaoJxtW6zOC9smlqbfxax1mfh3X4YFOvVk-bSPPDiephFPUW-tN2zLagv88pbNhX7qeFO6QCVb1GRdk4HFyoRkFDqLnJpXyDyaL8GljFGQIA62Tk-JA/s400/PUMA+1980s+TGBarnes.exe" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />*****************************<br /><br /><br />Over the coming months, we'll be working away at some equipment for next year's housing efforts. It will be months until we see a martin again here in Wisconsin, but although things have shifted gears, the Purple Martin Partners in southeastern Wisconsin will continue moving forward. If you would like to join us, contact Bill Mueller at iltlawas@earthlink.net at any time. We are gathering used martin houses or gourds in good condition when they are donated to us, and we have 5 new houses ready to go in spring of 2010!Bill Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309074316200909388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994209400078805973.post-27153928469753316752009-10-17T13:54:00.000-07:002009-10-17T13:55:56.940-07:00since we're not seeing any martins now...You might enjoy reading <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/feb/13/songbird-migration"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">this fine article</span></strong> </a>about martins in migration.Bill Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309074316200909388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994209400078805973.post-86963268361842269132009-09-08T05:04:00.000-07:002009-09-08T05:07:32.439-07:00martin action in MNSee what an active Purple Martin group in Minnesota is up to <a href="http://www.purplemartinrecovery.org/"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">here</span></strong></a>, at the East Central Minnesota Purple Martin Recovery organization. They're working hard on behalf of martins there!Bill Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309074316200909388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994209400078805973.post-88433792729050863282009-09-03T17:45:00.000-07:002010-01-15T14:30:40.117-08:00donated housing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzIooJmieaJCn2C8SYQnWMasRB8TKI8s9BJ5gWx3eNPIND-q0yca_1CpMABsBE3Ki__hVFNmCiGi7ZAdG1SmiVvq4hTy7HJHLQds8ToVyt4xswoiQmBH05MC7jeOLXP7G_yQCxOIPvl8/s1600-h/september+2009b+001.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377407415793330242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzIooJmieaJCn2C8SYQnWMasRB8TKI8s9BJ5gWx3eNPIND-q0yca_1CpMABsBE3Ki__hVFNmCiGi7ZAdG1SmiVvq4hTy7HJHLQds8ToVyt4xswoiQmBH05MC7jeOLXP7G_yQCxOIPvl8/s400/september+2009b+001.jpg" /></a><br /><div>**********************************</div><div>Another excellent donated Purple Martin house came to us from Marilyn Bontly by way of the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center. This huge multi-apartment house (too big to fit in my car!) has not been used for some years, and will eventually go in one of the Milwaukee County parks with others we are currently refurbishing. Thanks much to Paul Andre who helped with a truck to move this one, and recent donations toward our martin housing effort from Pat Wilborn and others. We still need help with work on these houses, and the erection of new houses yet this year. Contact me if you would like to help: Bill Mueller, Conservation Chair, Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, e-mail <a href="mailto:iltlawas@earthlink.net">iltlawas@earthlink.net</a></div><div></div>Bill Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309074316200909388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994209400078805973.post-34370255997117284462009-08-26T17:52:00.000-07:002009-08-26T18:16:00.727-07:00martins on the moveHave you seen any martin roosts in your area? This is the time of year to note the sites and spectacular behavior of roosting Purple Martins. See for example <a href="http://www.purplemartinroost.blogspot.com/"><strong><span style="color:#ffff00;">this link</span></strong> </a>which tells about a roost having more than 125,000 martins within the last week.<br /><br />The famous Causeway roost at Lake Pontchartrain often has more than 200,000 birds. Many of these birds have already departed, while our "northern" birds arrive in the southern U.S. (and then depart for their wintering areas) at a later date.<br /><br />I just checked the Wisconsin eBird site for this past week, and only small numbers of Purple Martins (4-6) were reported from any locations in this state. Let me know if you're seeing larger concentrations, e-mail me at: <a href="mailto:iltlawas@earthlink.net">iltlawas@earthlink.net</a>Bill Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309074316200909388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994209400078805973.post-7858987235436737262009-08-04T16:13:00.000-07:002009-08-04T16:26:51.155-07:00refurbishing used martin houses, and a good martin news story<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjooTF83QTbH8VhU45iQgMfNNbr8h4uBMHG6Asdkw7oJkMwR64QCI4RAjoiRdet4z4jG1bbz1bY9NjPsvLI9K-LS2WD21expM5sXfFAKD2ONyPUdqAMtYojOqiGtIDUuD9v-2l9MaM5FcY/s1600-h/july+-+august+2009a+094.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366251623289268338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjooTF83QTbH8VhU45iQgMfNNbr8h4uBMHG6Asdkw7oJkMwR64QCI4RAjoiRdet4z4jG1bbz1bY9NjPsvLI9K-LS2WD21expM5sXfFAKD2ONyPUdqAMtYojOqiGtIDUuD9v-2l9MaM5FcY/s400/july+-+august+2009a+094.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJ0YpiLASiRuFWaFwBBdEBP9dSGwasjzoVkH72zdw-wrVv43Ghy_fhrk5Djn2Q7FH1qI6GqiWXKCIn_2Kj58OvcTBd3944V_UMrgwOxiQ9gxpoIU46B7yQbVEj03-QvC3Qx8IYGEUAx0/s1600-h/july+-+august+2009a+093.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366251298514328866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJ0YpiLASiRuFWaFwBBdEBP9dSGwasjzoVkH72zdw-wrVv43Ghy_fhrk5Djn2Q7FH1qI6GqiWXKCIn_2Kj58OvcTBd3944V_UMrgwOxiQ9gxpoIU46B7yQbVEj03-QvC3Qx8IYGEUAx0/s400/july+-+august+2009a+093.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>These used houses have not had martins in them for some years. They are in the process of being refurbished and returned to service. Some scraping and painting, a little metalwork, and new poles will make them useful again. If you have used martin housing or gourds that you'd like to donate, let us know (414-698-9108).</div><div></div><div>My friend and colleague Kim Grveles of WDNR-ER sent me this story today, which she got from Andy Paulios some time ago: on a 1200-acre property in northeastern Adams County, a man has 150 pairs of martins which produced over 700 young in 2007, probably that many again in 2008, and an unknown number this year. He has 10 poles (160 houses) with ultimate plans for at least two additional poles and more houses. He started attracting martins in 1993. Obviously, hard work pays off!</div></div>Bill Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309074316200909388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994209400078805973.post-11964193239771626282009-07-25T11:22:00.000-07:002009-07-25T11:24:28.485-07:00request for assistance with martin housing in southeast WIIf you are willing to help the <strong>Purple Martin Partners</strong> 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 <a href="mailto:iltlawas@earthlink.net">iltlawas@earthlink.net</a> - Thanks in advance for any assistance or donation.Bill Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309074316200909388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994209400078805973.post-90491084546710079732009-07-20T01:31:00.000-07:002009-07-25T11:24:53.914-07:00Purple Martin roostsPurple 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, <a href="http://purplemartin.org/roost/"><span style="color:#ffff33;"><strong>here</strong></span></a>. Remember that PUMA is an early fall migrant, with most birds gone from Wisconsin before September.Bill Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309074316200909388noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994209400078805973.post-4796569093641133452009-07-09T16:06:00.001-07:002009-07-09T16:12:50.364-07:00new potential PUMA site at WI Humane Society in Milwaukee***************************<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95BMTaxI34qN8eY3K66nTr88-5V2VFGkS7-c3VL9ai-D0s0Hr2ynxJer9lcNTPCLVrnyDoe20z1zZvLioV0STwHjHxLm5TweoLVdGTwPGoE5tg2pWAWys6z3dQv5Mpy3pzXvfPh2RXFc/s1600-h/WHS+PUMA+setup+7-09.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356601211423528114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95BMTaxI34qN8eY3K66nTr88-5V2VFGkS7-c3VL9ai-D0s0Hr2ynxJer9lcNTPCLVrnyDoe20z1zZvLioV0STwHjHxLm5TweoLVdGTwPGoE5tg2pWAWys6z3dQv5Mpy3pzXvfPh2RXFc/s400/WHS+PUMA+setup+7-09.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>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. </div><div> </div><div>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.</div>Bill Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309074316200909388noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994209400078805973.post-28612987893871629292009-05-21T20:24:00.000-07:002009-05-21T20:28:32.409-07:00Purple Martin references and resourcesFind some Purple Martin references and resources at any of these links:<br /><a href="http://purplemartin.org/update/StarlImpact.html">http://purplemartin.org/update/StarlImpact.html</a><br /><a href="http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/JFO/v069n02/p0316-p0325.pdf">http://elibrary.unm.edu/sora/JFO/v069n02/p0316-p0325.pdf</a><br /><a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/projects/scp/assessments/purplemartin.pdf">http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/projects/scp/assessments/purplemartin.pdf</a><br /><a href="http://www.purplemartinrecovery.org/Resources.html">http://www.purplemartinrecovery.org/Resources.html</a><br /><br />I'll be gone for a while. Check back in a few weeks.Bill Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309074316200909388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994209400078805973.post-89197632428072358692009-05-12T17:41:00.000-07:002009-05-12T17:47:24.565-07:00Purple Martin Partner newsBill Holton and some of his monitoring partners have trapped starlings several times at the Grobschmidt Park house. No martins yet.<br /><br />I have put up the house donated by Karen Johnson, on a rural FDL Co. site. I will be delivering the gourd and pole set to Scott Diehl at Wisconsin Humane this week. I gave the house donated by Marvin C. to a farmer who will paint it and put it up on his land, at the Sheb Co/FDL Co line.<br /><br />Karen, Betsy, and other have continued to monitor the South Shore colony, which has approx 7 pairs. A House Sparrow pair attempted to nest, but it looks like they moved on, or were removed by the owner of this house.<br /><br />I traveled to a number of areas in Fond du Lac, Calumet, and Sheboygan counties last Saturday, where I found colonies on Hwy MM in Sheb Co (only one pair), another off of Hwy HHH in Calumet Co near the west end of Charlesburg Swamp (3-4 pairs), a magnificent colony setup with multiple house near Hilbert (Manitowoc Co), which had many pairs last year, but no birds yet this year. An Amish farm on Hwy Q in FDL Co has a few pairs.<br /><br />If you find others in southeastern WI, we'd like to hear about them.Bill Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309074316200909388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994209400078805973.post-8334242695777300452009-05-01T19:16:00.000-07:002009-05-01T19:36:20.804-07:00a new Purple Martin house for Lakeshore State Park, Milwaukee harbor<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6JgduoawPYFQGFgOhvuH4DnxEBRdJs_eKK6zc3PBaKFFZzNUIcUN7W9CVI31C48zGgqeLWt_8hgW0QoOQLvE_I3UI4NCkQCW5k9q5C8WepHkv03138Z6ry12uA9qVf_g9qHQHSeqoPA/s1600-h/april-may09+027.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331047282929980194" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6JgduoawPYFQGFgOhvuH4DnxEBRdJs_eKK6zc3PBaKFFZzNUIcUN7W9CVI31C48zGgqeLWt_8hgW0QoOQLvE_I3UI4NCkQCW5k9q5C8WepHkv03138Z6ry12uA9qVf_g9qHQHSeqoPA/s400/april-may09+027.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAwkF_rPMv3ileGaY3ZEgvKOKYR4HtpzpFP2vfJ3V1maR20yFOhFdOWSNUi1ZbN_u3hc3qD136AgFO_SriGZBEf-I8AIc4NJq59sae8dVtFL980mCvUkNz_pEohIatHx0i5F4M8nInQs/s1600-h/april-may09+026.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331046905641973394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAwkF_rPMv3ileGaY3ZEgvKOKYR4HtpzpFP2vfJ3V1maR20yFOhFdOWSNUi1ZbN_u3hc3qD136AgFO_SriGZBEf-I8AIc4NJq59sae8dVtFL980mCvUkNz_pEohIatHx0i5F4M8nInQs/s400/april-may09+026.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>********</div><div>Thanks to the gentlemen pictured here for help in setting up a new martin house for Milwaukee's Lakeshore State Park. Thanks also to park manager Tom Kroeger for his assistance and support of this effort. Special thanks to Bill Holton, Owen Boyle, Paul Hunter, and Todd Wilson for work with drills, wrenches, locks, lifting the structure, etc. Without the efforts of all persons involved, we'd have had a lot more trouble and a lot less progress.</div><div></div><div>Now the next step is up to the martins! While working this evening in the Milwaukee Harbor, we were treated to near fly-bys from Barn Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, and Cliff Swallow - maybe they know this is meant for another swallow species - they came near and "checked it out", especially the rough-wings. </div><div></div><div>We all enjoyed the swallows in front of gorgeous evening clouds, and the martin house against the backdrop of the city. </div></div>Bill Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309074316200909388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994209400078805973.post-27830768246645574912009-04-23T18:24:00.000-07:002009-04-23T18:28:03.993-07:00Purple Martins in Lakeshore State Park?We'll see. Today Bill Holton, park boss Tom Kroeger and I prepared the hole, and poured concrete for the base for the next martin house in this new, urban state park. More news as the next steps unfold. Want to help? Give me a call at 414-698-9108, or e-mail me at <a href="mailto:iltlawas@earthlink.net">iltlawas@earthlink.net</a>Bill Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309074316200909388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994209400078805973.post-45292631741395786782009-04-16T10:57:00.000-07:002009-04-16T11:01:12.826-07:00PUMA nestboxes in Milw Co in the weeks aheadWe've been collecting used and like-new housing for Purple Martins, and we've helped to install one martin house and gourd setup (see previous post). In the weeks ahead, we'll need help with other similar installations. If you can help with refurbishing existing houses that we've collected, or help with putting up housing in Milwaukee County parks, please contact me to volunteer.<br /><br />Bill Mueller<br />Conservation Chair, Wisconsin Society for Ornithology<br />414-698-9108Bill Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309074316200909388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994209400078805973.post-47466097151522382452009-03-28T17:22:00.000-07:002009-03-28T17:38:53.429-07:00a new beginning for martins in Milwaukee County<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4dqQSqAwgNugGK3wtTcPVMO6Tfm0S0h87jbA_f1-sUftOGgf7qJNq5aqd4f9bqxBZX1aDOGKDTyHGxvyVasv_2cfwNDAO1yubzjo-oFImHJ57DKYkjjm-ybhiLDPCCxIyZwRSMs9ApA/s1600-h/late+March+09+037.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318400244722724882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy4dqQSqAwgNugGK3wtTcPVMO6Tfm0S0h87jbA_f1-sUftOGgf7qJNq5aqd4f9bqxBZX1aDOGKDTyHGxvyVasv_2cfwNDAO1yubzjo-oFImHJ57DKYkjjm-ybhiLDPCCxIyZwRSMs9ApA/s400/late+March+09+037.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>***********************************<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cvs7j7Ym6LX4y9BxrQ0JJucukQeLt5iVCtGSdWBOAFH_uRPWrLzxG4QGlMZIXdoJ1KoqGu7tJzIMLbxKvxi4hTYr-D6P9D9a8st-HasOdvBLreyzmhM3LAF71odsr4nNKwCdcXuujNw/s1600-h/late+March+09+035.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318399786829046946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cvs7j7Ym6LX4y9BxrQ0JJucukQeLt5iVCtGSdWBOAFH_uRPWrLzxG4QGlMZIXdoJ1KoqGu7tJzIMLbxKvxi4hTYr-D6P9D9a8st-HasOdvBLreyzmhM3LAF71odsr4nNKwCdcXuujNw/s400/late+March+09+035.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMovHa6pq2xnRCQmI3AXAy90HBAttRCOqWwOuQa06qxGv-4WLcPPv9d5tgHcNyhGANjg66EYOtgZ1s5YDTsLSUxO2rJpoDa1XWF4_r2kWfktMmc-WQjGwgstJltvXjsapifnKLEHrfO_M/s1600-h/late+March+09+032.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318399457260434050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMovHa6pq2xnRCQmI3AXAy90HBAttRCOqWwOuQa06qxGv-4WLcPPv9d5tgHcNyhGANjg66EYOtgZ1s5YDTsLSUxO2rJpoDa1XWF4_r2kWfktMmc-WQjGwgstJltvXjsapifnKLEHrfO_M/s400/late+March+09+032.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39kc9mXYpLtYPoPMFjfYHZu-viyZb0fKKl1mHb6nwEQ7hj7oGyCRiojq1bV4Vp3dq-zo3kHRDXPkW_7aldYjcIh8XiCm0DSj15V0In07JlGLD8h-hvd29rtWH6H34m7NGO3w4ujwBnR4/s1600-h/late+March+09+030.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318398875387606898" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39kc9mXYpLtYPoPMFjfYHZu-viyZb0fKKl1mHb6nwEQ7hj7oGyCRiojq1bV4Vp3dq-zo3kHRDXPkW_7aldYjcIh8XiCm0DSj15V0In07JlGLD8h-hvd29rtWH6H34m7NGO3w4ujwBnR4/s400/late+March+09+030.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>****************** </div><div>Thanks to the efforts of Bill Holton and his wife Jill, and Diane Lembck, (all three of the Wisconsin Metro Audubon Society), with a little help from Dr. Paul Hunter and yours truly, there is fantastic new martin house and gourd setup at Grobschmidt Park on the south side of Milwaukee County. Metro Audubon bought the new house, pole setup, and gourds. Bill Holton facilitated the rest, providing skill and tools. Paul and I were part of the crew. This is an extremely well-constructed example of housing for Purple Martins. In one of the photos above you'll see Bill holding the old house that this unit replaces. Kudos to everyone involved; you folks really have class, and this installation is classy, too. Thanks for letting me join you! </div></div></div></div>Bill Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309074316200909388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994209400078805973.post-55930053745161763612009-03-21T08:11:00.000-07:002009-03-21T08:34:16.158-07:00Housing for martins needed in Milwaukee County<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2O8PYW8DX1IabYXoGBfdXPPGk2Xg0p9a6eB31pYuCK_RgOAx_8w7p5RhvSjaM4hG5wpscSw6Zbi_P2oszn8G_fhzQe5hraWpqOLMjHOShOfpoQGhljngy_4yFRjMHXvm6jmAA54k-IA/s1600-h/PUMA+bbs_wis.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315664216249263522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2O8PYW8DX1IabYXoGBfdXPPGk2Xg0p9a6eB31pYuCK_RgOAx_8w7p5RhvSjaM4hG5wpscSw6Zbi_P2oszn8G_fhzQe5hraWpqOLMjHOShOfpoQGhljngy_4yFRjMHXvm6jmAA54k-IA/s400/PUMA+bbs_wis.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div>********************************The Purple Martin is in decline in Wisconsin; see the graphed breeding bird survey results above. You can help: Housing for martins is needed in southeastern WI! If you have unused martin housing and you'd be willing to donate it to our effort, contact me at <a href="mailto:iltlawas@earthlink.net">iltlawas@earthlink.net</a>, or 414-698-9108. </div>Bill Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309074316200909388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994209400078805973.post-90454098493254816032009-03-20T03:33:00.001-07:002009-03-20T17:52:33.306-07:00support the Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwta1M51zMVKV3FTzMVqB2UgfWPPUdLwBDGnTEL7bpUZomZyEqJ41WZjBwf1GemkphWxN4UrswtYPvMyh_wCxQrAGuefwMbxuiXiXbrLHe3aSVhlUArHW-elqoPL4c4QhznBzj2ajfPU/s1600-h/EABL.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315216436718876946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwta1M51zMVKV3FTzMVqB2UgfWPPUdLwBDGnTEL7bpUZomZyEqJ41WZjBwf1GemkphWxN4UrswtYPvMyh_wCxQrAGuefwMbxuiXiXbrLHe3aSVhlUArHW-elqoPL4c4QhznBzj2ajfPU/s400/EABL.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>***************************************</div><div></div><div>If you're not already familiar with BRAW, learn more about them and their efforts to increase bluebird populations, and those of other native cavity-nesting birds. See their website at <a href="http://www.braw.org/">http://www.braw.org/</a></div>Bill Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309074316200909388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994209400078805973.post-52746459732150140712009-03-19T03:43:00.000-07:002009-03-19T04:08:22.513-07:00agriculture and birdsLearn about the links betwen agricultural practices and changing bird populations. A brief overview is <a href="http://www.audubon.org/bird/pdf/BirdsAndAgriculture.pdf"><strong>here</strong></a> at National Audubon's website, and a paper from the <em><strong>Journal of Applied Ecology</strong></em> is given <a href="http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/products/journals/freepdf/jpe576.pdf"><strong>here</strong></a> as a pdf. Yet another paper from the <strong>Royal Society for the Protection of Birds</strong> is linked <a href="http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?artid=1087596&blobtype=pdf"><strong>here</strong></a>. Penn State's website has <a href="http://agtheory.blogspot.com/2008/06/grassland-bird-population-decline.html"><strong>this article</strong></a>. Not all of these are recent papers, but they provide a set of introductory concepts and research results. Click on the Penn State ag magazine to find pdfs to previous articles. An NRCS paper is available <strong><a href="http://www.deltafarm.net/resources/field_border_bird_summary.pdf">here</a>.</strong>Bill Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309074316200909388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994209400078805973.post-12406254372996715362009-03-18T17:53:00.000-07:002009-03-18T17:58:24.680-07:00Please help us build PUMA numbers in Milwaukee County this year!We're getting started with a new initiative to increase the Purple Martin population in Milwaukee County parks this year - please help us! We need help with finding and monitoring existing colonies, and enhancing those, plus setting up additional housing in other, new locations. We need volunteer help and donations to purchase housing, gourds, and poles - we'll also gladly accept used martin houses/poles/gourds in good condition.<br /><br />Write to me for more information:<br /><br />William P. Mueller<br />MCAMMP Project Coordinator<br />Conservation Chair, Wisconsin Society for Ornithology<br />(414) 698-9108 [cell]<br />E-mail: <a href="mailto:iltlawas@earthlink.net">iltlawas@earthlink.net</a><br />On the web: <a href="http://home.earthlink.net/~iltlawas/index.html">http://home.earthlink.net/~iltlawas/index.html</a><br />Blog: <a href="http://bluebirdslaugh.blogspot.com/">http://bluebirdslaugh.blogspot.com/</a>Bill Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309074316200909388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-994209400078805973.post-28939571378878752722008-12-08T16:44:00.000-08:002008-12-08T17:12:19.019-08:00Recommended readingIf you're interested in learning more about attracting the Purple Martin to your yard or farm, I definitely recommend the <a href="http://purplemartin.org/"><strong><span style="color:#ccccff;">Purple Martin Conservation Association's website</span></strong></a>. To learn more about assisting other cavity-nesting species in the Upper Midwest, an excellent source is the website of the <a href="http://www.braw.org/"><strong><span style="color:#66ffff;">Bluebird Restoration Association of WI</span></strong></a>. 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.<br /><br />Other more general conservation-related links are found in the sidebar as well.Bill Muellerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12309074316200909388noreply@blogger.com0