Starting a city colony

[Wildriver]

I have always heard how the PM likes people. I have a very nice full colony at my lake cabin in the north woods of Wisconsin.
Having great success with the T-14, I thought about starting a community martin project, in our park system, in the city of Minneapolis Minnesota.
Our lakes in the city are not private land. They are public places with many park users. Most of the shorelines are covered with large trees.
Finding a good location is difficult.
I finally settled on a wetland site next to the city lakes. It was a storm water pond that helps the lakes keep clean. I am at least 10 miles from the closest colony. Colonies in Minnesota do very well on lake shores. I have installed two T-14 houses and have fitted them with owl bars and starling entrances. Also a few decoys.

Having never made a city colony, I was wondering if any users have had luck in a major metropolitan area starting a PM colony?

I visited my site the other night and it was full of hundreds of bats feeding on flying insects. But not a martin yet.
The PM has been absent a very long time in our city. Neighbors are eager to see a martin. And yes my wife thinks I possessed.

[Dale D]

Although Orlando, FL doesn't have a lot of Martins I was able to establish a colony here in the city 14 years ago and it is still active.

[Barry Wallace]

I think you will do well. Three Rivers park district manages several successful colonies in the Minneapolis suburbs, Maple Plain, Plymouth and Maple Grove. They might have more I can't remember.

I have a 90 pair colony just east of you between Luck and Cumberland. Glad to hear your lake colony is doing well.

[John Miller]

We have about 90 pairs in the middle of St. Louis in scattered housing in Forest Park, which is 1,200 acres, and nearby at the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Some dedicated volunteers manage martin housing in city parks in Chicago along Lake Michigan, but I suspect St. Louis has more martins than Chicago .

Good luck to you and let us know how it goes. I used to worry about whether there would be enough bugs in the city but apparently a lot of larger insects are constantly on the move and the skies 500 to 1,000 feet up are pretty buggy places, even among urban areas.


John Miller

[Wildriver]

Although Orlando, FL doesn't have a lot of Martins I was able to establish a colony here in the city 14 years ago and it is still active.

Thanks Dale for the encouraging words. I will keep you posted.

[Wildriver]

I think you will do well. Three Rivers park district manages several successful colonies in the Minneapolis suburbs, Maple Plain, Plymouth and Maple Grove. They might have more I can't remember.

I have a 90 pair colony just east of you between Luck and Cumberland. Glad to hear your lake colony is doing well.

I am keeping my fingers crossed. Tonight my friend texted me that my house was full of birds. She though the decoys were the real thing. Ha Ha She sure got me down at the site fast. The two houses are off of France Ave which everyone has noticed. They look nice in the wetland. Thanks for the encouraging words.

[Wildriver]

We have about 90 pairs in the middle of St. Louis in scattered housing in Forest Park, which is 1,200 acres, and nearby at the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Some dedicated volunteers manage martin housing in city parks in Chicago along Lake Michigan, but I suspect St. Louis has more martins than Chicago .

Good luck to you and let us know how it goes. I used to worry about whether there would be enough bugs in the city but apparently a lot of larger insects are constantly on the move and the skies 500 to 1,000 feet up are pretty buggy places, even among urban areas.


John Miller

Many of the urban and suburban wetlands have mosquito control in the Minneapolis area. Helicopters drop in at low levels spraying pesticides to kill the mosquitos. I am not a fan of this government program. It sure is not good for the martin or other wildlife.
West Nile River Virus is what they are trying to combat.

Sounds like Minneapolis is really behind on martins compared to St. Louis and Chicago . Currently we have zero nesting pairs with in the city limits. Our Chain of Lakes would be perfect for them. Our goal is to start with one lake ,then jump to the next, and so on...
Keep you posted.