Local paper may do story on us! -& cat solution?

[robndebby]

Last month we posted at 2 X 6 ad in our local paper asking if there are other Purple Martin landlords in the county and if so, we'd like to get together. We had to go to the newspaper to place the ad and we had Martin pictures we wanted in the ad. While discussing the ad and how to print it, they told us they had never heard of Purple Martins, didn't know a thing about them. They want us to get in contact with them when babies have hatched and they'd like to come and do a "story of interest" on us. We think that might be a good way to educate people on these wonderful creatures. We've been landlords for 15 years and it is amazing to us how many people put up houses and just forget them, never nest checking, never getting rid of predators, never protecting the poles or the houses, and never cleaning them. We think mid-June will be a good time to call them to do the story since the Martins will be really active feeding their young. So, isn't that cool? I can't wait.

We have been in the paper before, back in 1997. We sent a picture of our cat to a cat calendar (you pull each sheet off every day and has pictures where people have sent in) and her picture was printed. Someone told the newspaper and they did a front page, first story, in full color (they weren't doing much color photos then) on her. She was named Stray of the Month.

And a little note - yes, our cats are indoor/outdoor cats (never allowed to stay out at night), but have never had a problem with them and our Martins. Not only do I check on their whereabouts all day to make sure they are nearby, they don't seem interested in laying out in the hot sun waiting for a bird. I must add, sorry about this, but I did read it, that animals, wild or domesticated, will not come near anything that has a human male scent (trying to say this delicately), if you know what I mean. But gentlemen, if you want to leave the scent, please do it after dark! You don't want neighbors to think you are weird!

I'll let all know after the paper does our story.

[Guest]

Your gonna be famous!! You might make sure the PMCA is listed in the story also.

BTW, that male scent..... spilled beer?

Chuck

[roblrich]

Your gonna be famous!! You might make sure the PMCA is listed in the story also.

BTW, that male scent..... spilled beer?

Chuck

Nothing upsets my wife more then when "I lose some beer outside". Now I have a good excuse.

[oneidalaker]

Robndebby, that's great about the newspaper publishing an article. I've found that writers are very receptive for interesting stories if you can find a way to make it easy for them. You might want to consider renting the PMCA vidoe and doing a seminar at a local garden center a few weeks after the artice is published. If mentioned in the article you'll have effective free advertising.

Best of luck
bob

[CUL Lou~Mich]

Robndebby. Hey now, that's great that you've got the papers interest. I've said for a long time that I believe most of the problem of folks Not taking care of their colonies, not cleaning them out in the fall etc, is due to lack of information. For soooo many years, it's always been "You can't touch the nest, they'll abandon them. Birds don't want to be around human scent", etc, etc. Hopefully you'll get even a couple of readers attention. Could go a long ways in helping the PMs in your community. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Hmmmm, what's a guy to do if he don't drink beer though?? Wonder if lost coffee/Pepsi would work. CUL Lou