Dick S. you may of been right! Was watching the news this morning and low and behold the reported some birds roosting that were federal protected. They called them starlings at first, but they were clearly PM's. At the end of the scoop the said they were PMs.
The address is 750 NE 13th street. on the OK Allergy and Ashma clinic building. I will check it out this weekend as see for sure it OKC does have an PM roost. I think that building is real close to OU Medical center in down town OKC which is just North East of Brick town area. Reporting from the computer desk Rc Moser....
The OKC purple mating roost site
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Michael Sanford ~ OK
- Posts: 233
- Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2004 9:00 pm
- Location: Oklahoma/Edmond
RC, I can confirm that there is a martin roost at the OU Health Sciences Center. Shelly Harris found it on Wednesday night and she is the one that called the news. Tens of thousands of martins are roosting at the southwest corner of 13th and Phillips. Several thousand more are roosting in three sycamore trees in the parking lot of the Goldman Blood Institute at the southwest corner of 10th and Lincoln. They may be roosting in several other locations near the Health Sciences Center but those two places are confirmed. I went and saw them tonight. You have to get down there.
MICHAEL C. SANFORD
EDMOND, OK
EDMOND, OK
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Guest
I went in search of the Purple Martin roost in downtown OKC earlier this week. Narrowly avoiding wrecking our car, I finally found a single Martin with our daughter and followed it. It took us to the Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic at the corner of NE 13th and Phillips Ave.
The first evening I viewed the roost coming in, there were literally thousands upon thousands of birds in the sky....I would easily estimate 100,000, if not more.
Actually, it was the Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic that called the media. Since I am an active wildlife rehabber (subpermittee specializing in songbirds but I also do other species when needed), I was advised by other rehabbers to wait on contacting the media since the OK Dept. of Agriculture quickly responds to *any* complaint of bird droppings or disturbance with roost *destruction*. Several heron and egret rookeries have been eliminated by shooting the birds based on any public complaints. Because of this, I hesitated.....although I wanted the media to put a positive light on the roost and educate the public.
I spoke with the media and shared much educational information and shared the value of these federally protected birds. I also mentioned their being the only bird species entirely dependent on man for housing, and I mentioned the terrible threat and destruction by non-native species.....European Starlings and House Sparrows. However, the media edited all the educational information out and chose to put a *funny* and humerous spin on it.
I posted the roost location and information on locating PM roost on the OKbirds list and have shared information with many birders and citizens. I will continue with this effort to educate.
I took videos at the site and will post a link to them later today. I also submitted a PMCA roost report about this location earlier this week.
The first evening I viewed the roost coming in, there were literally thousands upon thousands of birds in the sky....I would easily estimate 100,000, if not more.
Actually, it was the Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic that called the media. Since I am an active wildlife rehabber (subpermittee specializing in songbirds but I also do other species when needed), I was advised by other rehabbers to wait on contacting the media since the OK Dept. of Agriculture quickly responds to *any* complaint of bird droppings or disturbance with roost *destruction*. Several heron and egret rookeries have been eliminated by shooting the birds based on any public complaints. Because of this, I hesitated.....although I wanted the media to put a positive light on the roost and educate the public.
I spoke with the media and shared much educational information and shared the value of these federally protected birds. I also mentioned their being the only bird species entirely dependent on man for housing, and I mentioned the terrible threat and destruction by non-native species.....European Starlings and House Sparrows. However, the media edited all the educational information out and chose to put a *funny* and humerous spin on it.
I posted the roost location and information on locating PM roost on the OKbirds list and have shared information with many birders and citizens. I will continue with this effort to educate.
I took videos at the site and will post a link to them later today. I also submitted a PMCA roost report about this location earlier this week.
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Guest
The link to the news report on the OKC roost is here:
http://www.kfor.com
Scroll down to the *Birds of a Feather* link and click on it. I was very disappointed in the context and content they chose to present their report.
http://www.kfor.com
Scroll down to the *Birds of a Feather* link and click on it. I was very disappointed in the context and content they chose to present their report.
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John Miller
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Shelly
As a "PR" guy in St. Louis, I can understand your frustration and applaud your efforts. I viewed the TV report. It seemed accurate, but the media doesn't share our goal about purple martin education. They just wanted to do a quick, funny story.
You may be able to turn things around, if you want to put a little more time in on this. I'd do what's best for martin education, not what goals others may have.
There likely will be more reports on Channel 4, other stations and maybe a story in the newspaper, espeically early next week.
You might write a three or four paragraph statement just offering background about purple martins; then fax or email it to Channel 4 and the other major stations, plus the major newspaper there. Include your contact information. I could do this for you, but it would be more effective from you, a local purple martin hobbyist and wildlife professional.
Just keep it short...something like:
"As a viewer, I'd like to offer more background for use in future reports about the purple martin roost.
This is a swallow species that's cherished by over one million people in the eastern U.S. who erect purple martin bird housing. In fact, all the birds in this roost were fledged by housing that someone provided, as the species is totallydependent on man for places to nest -- usually a purple martin bird house or gourd rack.
Viewers can learn more about purple martins at www.purplemartin.org, the website home of the Purple Martin Conservation Association, which is tracking roosts across the eastern U.S. Some of these roosts have become quite an attraction for birdwatchers. Not all roosts are located close to human buildings, but those that do can pose a problem of bird droppings. The good news is that purple martins will be moving on in a few weeks in their fall migration to South America."
YOUR NAME, PHONE INFORMATION
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HOPE THIS HELPS,
John Miller,
St. Louis, Mo
......
As a "PR" guy in St. Louis, I can understand your frustration and applaud your efforts. I viewed the TV report. It seemed accurate, but the media doesn't share our goal about purple martin education. They just wanted to do a quick, funny story.
You may be able to turn things around, if you want to put a little more time in on this. I'd do what's best for martin education, not what goals others may have.
There likely will be more reports on Channel 4, other stations and maybe a story in the newspaper, espeically early next week.
You might write a three or four paragraph statement just offering background about purple martins; then fax or email it to Channel 4 and the other major stations, plus the major newspaper there. Include your contact information. I could do this for you, but it would be more effective from you, a local purple martin hobbyist and wildlife professional.
Just keep it short...something like:
"As a viewer, I'd like to offer more background for use in future reports about the purple martin roost.
This is a swallow species that's cherished by over one million people in the eastern U.S. who erect purple martin bird housing. In fact, all the birds in this roost were fledged by housing that someone provided, as the species is totallydependent on man for places to nest -- usually a purple martin bird house or gourd rack.
Viewers can learn more about purple martins at www.purplemartin.org, the website home of the Purple Martin Conservation Association, which is tracking roosts across the eastern U.S. Some of these roosts have become quite an attraction for birdwatchers. Not all roosts are located close to human buildings, but those that do can pose a problem of bird droppings. The good news is that purple martins will be moving on in a few weeks in their fall migration to South America."
YOUR NAME, PHONE INFORMATION
------------------------------
HOPE THIS HELPS,
John Miller,
St. Louis, Mo
......
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Guest
Thanks so much, John. This is VERY helpful.
I have been doing several local efforts and was looking to do some follow-up. You have definitely planted the seed.
I also have to give huge thanks to all those from the Clubhouse that gave me helpful hints and instructions about *roost hunting* when our daughter and I trekked out in search of the roost. When the PMs leave in the early AM, their radar signature encompasses the entirety of Oklahoma County. That's a lot of area to look in. The roost is actually located about 4 to 6 miles from the site pinpointed by the PMCA for OKC in 2004.
I'm also planning on contacting our local newspaper in Norman, OK. Oklahoma is blessed with an abundance of Purple Martins and the more dedicated and educated landlords we can generate, the better for our wonderful and cherished Purple Martins.
I may contact you John for proofing, if you don't mind.
I have been doing several local efforts and was looking to do some follow-up. You have definitely planted the seed.
I also have to give huge thanks to all those from the Clubhouse that gave me helpful hints and instructions about *roost hunting* when our daughter and I trekked out in search of the roost. When the PMs leave in the early AM, their radar signature encompasses the entirety of Oklahoma County. That's a lot of area to look in. The roost is actually located about 4 to 6 miles from the site pinpointed by the PMCA for OKC in 2004.
I'm also planning on contacting our local newspaper in Norman, OK. Oklahoma is blessed with an abundance of Purple Martins and the more dedicated and educated landlords we can generate, the better for our wonderful and cherished Purple Martins.
I may contact you John for proofing, if you don't mind.
Thank you Shelly for tring to edcate the media and the descovery. A couple of weeks ago I went all out through NW OKC looking for a roost, figured a good place would be the power plant behind lake Hefner, around the golf course side, but didn't see a PM. Last couple of weeks I have had a few visitors, which is unusally for me this late. I didn't think they were coming all the way from tulsa.
I will try to get down there, but looks like storms tonight, Maybe 'll try tomorrow night weather premitting. Thanks again.
I will try to get down there, but looks like storms tonight, Maybe 'll try tomorrow night weather premitting. Thanks again.
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Guest
RC, I was elated to find the roost at NE 13th and Phillips Ave. at the east end of the Oklahoma Allergy and Asthma Clinic. Michael Sanford found and additional group of roosting Purple Martins about 3 or 4 blocks away in the Sycamore trees near the street in front of the Samuel L. Goldwyn Oklahoma Blood Institute at NE 10th and Lincoln Blvd.
When I originally followed my first sighted Purple Martin to the roost site at the allergy clinic, I had originally intended to look around the State Capitol grounds. I never did make it to that area, but would still like to check it out. We sighted many Purple Martins in the distance to the north that didn't come in to the Allergy Clinic roost. If anyone gets a chance in the next few nights, please check out that area, too. I plan to go again as soon as the weather clears a bit.
The Campus guard stopped and talked to us at the roost site a few nights ago. He stated that the roost at NE 13th and Lincoln Blvd. was much larger last week. I think we are seeing it on the down side now as numbers are gradually reducing.
We also found out that the roost at the Allergy Clinic was *not* there last year....so this location is new for this year. We'll all be alert to be checking earlier next year. We were just too busy to get away to look for it any sooner this year.
Good Luck and I hope you enjoy the experience of *the roost*. This was the perfect way to top off a successful season of 67 nesting pairs and almost 350 fledglings.
We had 3 very late nesting pairs and our last nest fledged 8-8-05. We're looking forward to next year ... and adding additional housing. I wish *everyone* a bountiful and successful season next year!
When I originally followed my first sighted Purple Martin to the roost site at the allergy clinic, I had originally intended to look around the State Capitol grounds. I never did make it to that area, but would still like to check it out. We sighted many Purple Martins in the distance to the north that didn't come in to the Allergy Clinic roost. If anyone gets a chance in the next few nights, please check out that area, too. I plan to go again as soon as the weather clears a bit.
The Campus guard stopped and talked to us at the roost site a few nights ago. He stated that the roost at NE 13th and Lincoln Blvd. was much larger last week. I think we are seeing it on the down side now as numbers are gradually reducing.
We also found out that the roost at the Allergy Clinic was *not* there last year....so this location is new for this year. We'll all be alert to be checking earlier next year. We were just too busy to get away to look for it any sooner this year.
Good Luck and I hope you enjoy the experience of *the roost*.
This was the perfect way to top off a successful season of 67 nesting pairs and almost 350 fledglings. We had 3 very late nesting pairs and our last nest fledged 8-8-05. We're looking forward to next year ... and adding additional housing.
I wish *everyone* a bountiful and successful season next year! -
Guest
SHELLY,RC AND MICHAEL its too bad we dont have a purple martin fest for us oklahoma landlords.I dont know if thats proper english. 
We did band over 600 nestlings this year in the Woodward area.Keep your eyes open for banded birds the ones banded here have a gold band on the left leg and a aluminium band on the right.
ROD HOLLIS
We did band over 600 nestlings this year in the Woodward area.Keep your eyes open for banded birds the ones banded here have a gold band on the left leg and a aluminium band on the right.ROD HOLLIS
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Guest
Rod, I'll definitely keep an eye out for banded birds! We've never seen a banded bird at our site, but we're always hopeful.
A roost festival is an idea that may be something to work on over the winter months. I'm also planning on setting up a *get together* for all Oklahoma landlords and wannabes. It would be great to meet everyone, share ideas, pictures, experiences, etc. I'm hoping to get actively planning this at a central location, maybe at a restaurant with dinner in a banquet room, as soon as baby bird season is over. I'd love to get to meet all the fellow Oklahoma landlords and wannabes.
I hope everyone wouldn't mind meeting in the off season. Everyone is so busy when their colonies are active that I thought meeting in the off season might be a bit easier. We could share our experiences from seasons past and share our plans for next season.
We've never seen a banded bird at our site, but we're always hopeful. A roost festival is an idea that may be something to work on over the winter months. I'm also planning on setting up a *get together* for all Oklahoma landlords and wannabes. It would be great to meet everyone, share ideas, pictures, experiences, etc. I'm hoping to get actively planning this at a central location, maybe at a restaurant with dinner in a banquet room, as soon as baby bird season is over. I'd love to get to meet all the fellow Oklahoma landlords and wannabes.
I hope everyone wouldn't mind meeting in the off season. Everyone is so busy when their colonies are active that I thought meeting in the off season might be a bit easier. We could share our experiences from seasons past and share our plans for next season.
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Dick Sherry
- Posts: 774
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 5:30 pm
- Location: Tulsa, OK
Shelly, you did a wonderful job of notifying so many different groups in a short time about the roost. It is frustrating when you give a lot of facts to the media, and then they tell the story with a much different twist and emphasis. I like your idea of martin landlords from around the state getting together after the nesting season. There are a lot of folks that I feel like I know from communications on this Forum, but I have never met them in person. Keep up the good work you are doing.
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Guest
SHELLY,i think thats a good idea having a landlord meeting...Would be nice to meet other landlords that care about martins like us...This year at my colony i had a female that was banded in darouzett texas breeding at my site...Also had several birds that have been banded the last two years at my colony...Some were from different landlords in the area...Jim Ray had brought his spotting scope with him when we went and banded the babys....This allowed us to scope some of the adults for numbers to see how they have dispersed ...its been fun doing it...
ROD HOLLIS
ROD HOLLIS
Rod, I made it downtown tonight and there were a LOT of PM's still. I tried to look for some banded birds, but got down there alittle late and the light wasn't good. Looked like they were coming in from the North and West.
I'll probably go earlier and try again to see if I can see any bands.
If anybody from the area is interested there are plenty of places to park around the building on the corner of 13th and Phillips. Have a really good viewing area from the top of the parking garage next to the building or the other side parking lot.
I'll probably go earlier and try again to see if I can see any bands.
If anybody from the area is interested there are plenty of places to park around the building on the corner of 13th and Phillips. Have a really good viewing area from the top of the parking garage next to the building or the other side parking lot.
. When down to the OKC PM roost tonight and there are still a few thousand mostly roosting the Sycamore's beside the clinic and still a few thousand up a the other location at 13th and lincoln. Got down there at about 8 PM, they came in around 8:20 or so I think do to the cloud cover in the NW. None roosted on the building all in the trees on the east side. Still a great view from top of the parking garage.