martin action in MN

See what an active Purple Martin group in Minnesota is up to here, at the East Central Minnesota Purple Martin Recovery organization. They're working hard on behalf of martins there!

donated housing

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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 iltlawas@earthlink.net

martins on the move

Have 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 this link which tells about a roost having more than 125,000 martins within the last week.

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.

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: iltlawas@earthlink.net

refurbishing used martin houses, and a good martin news story

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).

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!

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.