Sunday I went to the Wildlife Refuge here in Decatur and being the only one there was talking to the superintendent and told her about the mallards that had made our back yard their home this summer and last. The subject of purple martins came up and she said the had some gourds over at the viewing building so I went over and here was a pole with a large weed almost reaching the gourds. The rest of the small island was fresh mowed. Trying to be helpful I suggest they get rid of the large weed and she says that may not be a good place for the martin setup since they could not keep the island mowed when the water is up. When leaving I realize she is correct, it is not a good place and start to look for a good place and there it was right in fornt of the visitor building, so I call and suggested they move the pole to the front and volunteered to help any way I could and she accepted. We are setting up a meeting to discss the move and how they could use help in getting it done.
They just started publishing a beautiful magazine and you can go to www.refugenet.org and click on "free Membership" button and they will send you one. It would be better to go to the website and click on the locations near you and go pick up a magazine and see what they have for martins. The magazine explains the under funding and need for volunteers to help with projects, it would be a good winter project and will help martins a lot. the super. said at the refuge they just put it up and no one had time to take care of it. Sounded like a good oportunity to do some good and suggest you check your refuge out and see if they need help, I think you'll find out they do.
Winter project that nay need your help.
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John Miller
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Fashmore
Sounds like a great opportunity. I'm involved in a public park martin project, and I've found it's very rewarding .
Two cents worth of thought:
Should you opt to put up new, rather than move old housing, it doesn't have to get expensive. Some manufacturers will donate housing for public sites. Conservation folks sometimes have access to grants. You might consider a simple home-made telescoping pole with four super gourds on threaded rods. It's beautifully simple and reasonable cost.
Generally, one person needs to be in charge of nest checks (probably you) while others can help keep an eye on things.
You probably don't want to just put up a bird house, but create an educational project, and you have an ideal setting. If you need quick informational handouts, just print out the PMCA download information sheets and photocopy them.
Go for it, and keep us posted on your progress.
John Miller,
St. Louis, Mo
Sounds like a great opportunity. I'm involved in a public park martin project, and I've found it's very rewarding .
Two cents worth of thought:
Should you opt to put up new, rather than move old housing, it doesn't have to get expensive. Some manufacturers will donate housing for public sites. Conservation folks sometimes have access to grants. You might consider a simple home-made telescoping pole with four super gourds on threaded rods. It's beautifully simple and reasonable cost.
Generally, one person needs to be in charge of nest checks (probably you) while others can help keep an eye on things.
You probably don't want to just put up a bird house, but create an educational project, and you have an ideal setting. If you need quick informational handouts, just print out the PMCA download information sheets and photocopy them.
Go for it, and keep us posted on your progress.
John Miller,
St. Louis, Mo
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Guest
In the short discussion with the super. we decided on natural gourds and I would do the nest checks and they would just watch it daily and have the page from PMCA on how to attract and care for martins. I am thinking of a homemade pole set up like mine using the 2" square 1/4" thick with stand off brake winch and cable up the center and a lock to keep someone from messing with it. Thanks for your input and any other ideas you or anyone else has.
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John Miller
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
Good luck with this project. Do you need us to mail you a few painted, prepared natural gourds. If we got three or four folks here to mail two each, it'd be kind of a fun little Forum project. If this would be helpful to you, just give us the word and the address at the center.
John Miller,
St. Louis, Mo
John Miller,
St. Louis, Mo