My wife Lisa and I conducted a Purple Martin Seminar yesterday. It was attended by 13 people who have been trying to establish colonies. Our one hour presentation stretched out to 2 1/2 hours thanks to the attendees enthusiasm and inexhaustable quest for knowledge. It was a fun afternoon and a great experience. I heartily recommend that all Forum members consider presenting PM seminars to their hometown garden clubs, bird clubs etc., as a way to extend their martin season. It was fun to assemble the powerpoint presentation and gave me an excuse to buy props such as the Dawn Song and Daytime Chatter CDs, decoys, different types of gourds, etc. For those without the means to prepare a Powerpoint presentation, the PMCA now has a program available for renting.
There was one question that really stumped me regarding Purple Martins and Butterfly Aviaries. Would an active Purple Martin colony wipe out an established Butterfly Aviary?
Purple Martin seminar
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John Miller
- Posts: 4866
- Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
- Location: St. Louis, MO
I'm impressed that in an area where's there's a low martin population you were able to get a good group together. I need to work up my nerve to have one of these, maybe this summer.
Re: butterflies. It's thought martins may take an occasional butterfly, but not many. Martins mostly feed very high in the sky and over miles and miles.
I'm not an insect expert, but butterflies probably tend to stay low.
Certainly we know a martin's feeding territory would be miles wide.
Watch a martin leave the house. When intent on feeding it's a mile away and flying high in under 10 seconds. High flying insects include a lot of migrating dragonflies and related species -- and -- I like saying the name of the next one -- the spotted cucumber beatle, a common garden pest.
John Miller
Re: butterflies. It's thought martins may take an occasional butterfly, but not many. Martins mostly feed very high in the sky and over miles and miles.
I'm not an insect expert, but butterflies probably tend to stay low.
Certainly we know a martin's feeding territory would be miles wide.
Watch a martin leave the house. When intent on feeding it's a mile away and flying high in under 10 seconds. High flying insects include a lot of migrating dragonflies and related species -- and -- I like saying the name of the next one -- the spotted cucumber beatle, a common garden pest.
John Miller
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floridasunshinegoddess
Bob,
Good for you that you presented such a great seminar! I bet everyone really enjoyed it and are dreaming of Martins about now. I really should do the same. I used to be a good public speaker but I get so nervous now. Guess I'm out of practice!
I agree with John, I think Butterflies fly low.... So, the aviaries would be safe!
Good for you that you presented such a great seminar! I bet everyone really enjoyed it and are dreaming of Martins about now. I really should do the same. I used to be a good public speaker but I get so nervous now. Guess I'm out of practice!
I agree with John, I think Butterflies fly low.... So, the aviaries would be safe!
Last edited by floridasunshinegoddess on Sun Feb 19, 2006 8:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Bob,
I have heard the same concern from many people but I don't think it is really valid. At Walt Disney World at the Epcot park they have a very healthy martin colony right in the middle of a beautiful and well populated butterfly garden. They seem to co-exist very well. Martins may take a few butterflies occasionally but they certainly don't seem to do any appreciable damage to the local butterfly populations here in Florida.
James
I have heard the same concern from many people but I don't think it is really valid. At Walt Disney World at the Epcot park they have a very healthy martin colony right in the middle of a beautiful and well populated butterfly garden. They seem to co-exist very well. Martins may take a few butterflies occasionally but they certainly don't seem to do any appreciable damage to the local butterfly populations here in Florida.
James
James Mejeur