Parsons KS Public Colony 2017 Population report....

DornCounty · Fri Jun 16, 2017 1:20 pm

Did the formal population survey this week. 2017 is our best year since our refurbishment project began in 2012.

Here are the numbers.....

2013- 40 pairs
2014 - 62 pairs
2015 - 120 Pairs
2016 - 182 Pairs
2017 - 214 Pairs

Official capacity is 268 pairs with most of the unoccupied openings being at one colony section. I would expect to be "full" by 2018 or 2019 barring any sort of natural disaster.

This rebound was simply due to following the guidance of PMCA in regards to expanded compartments, SREH, and invasive removal. Big shout out to the patrons of PMCA.

Matt F. · Fri Jun 16, 2017 3:33 pm

DornCounty wrote:This rebound was simply due to following the guidance of PMCA in regards to expanded compartments, SREH, and invasive removal. Big shout out to the patrons of PMCA.

You left out the main part of the equation - Andrew (aka DornCounty)
Without you, none of it would've happened, and the Parsons housing would've eventually become completely void of Martins, and assembly lines for house sparrow and starling production.
I'm not sure if you've been approached or not, but the PMCA really needs to do a story about you, and what you've done in Parsons, in a future Update article.
Amazing job sir.

Kyler · Sat Jun 17, 2017 7:16 pm

Andrew,
I was wondering were some of those houses already in place? I know you have put up many but I didn't know if some were in place when you started? But anyways Yes awesome job!

Kyler,

Archer · Sun Jun 18, 2017 11:25 am

I agree with Matt, people make the difference. People and the knowledge of the Pmca, put into practise, Works! If you want to have a thriving colony read everything you can on this website and put in place as many of the recommendations as you are able. Congrats Andrew, keep up the good work!

DornCounty · Sun Jun 18, 2017 8:33 pm

Kyler wrote:Andrew,
I was wondering were some of those houses already in place? I know you have put up many but I didn't know if some were in place when you started? But anyways Yes awesome job!

Kyler,

The public colony was started in the 1960s.. aggressively expanded in the 80s to over 70 houses. A tornado and the death of the promoter of the colony in 2000 caused a population drop of 90% to 40 pairs by 2012. That's when the retrofit project started.

lynnh · Mon Jun 19, 2017 9:09 am

For whatever its worth Dorn county its two thumbs way up from me

Rockchalk · Mon Jun 19, 2017 12:43 pm

Thanks for posting. I'm a couple hours north of you. If I can find the time I'll take a drive down and see your project while the martins are still around. Very cool.

Lewis · Mon Jun 19, 2017 5:47 pm

Andrew, I too want to thank you for what you have been able to accomplish. From you previous post I know you are a member of the Audubon Society and your interest extend beyond purple martins. I know you realize that the mere existence of purple martins depends on all of us maintaining housing , at least for the eastern US, but what you have done goes far beyond that. The resurrection of the Parson Colony should be one of the most significant accomplishments of the PMCA and deserves an article in the Update. If we still had Landlord of the year you would get my vote.
Lewis
PS The Kansas Flint Hills and the last of The Tall Grass Prairie is a special place.

Martinfarmer · Tue Jun 20, 2017 6:56 am

Hello Andrew, thank you for your dedication to the purple martins.
I have a question, have you already posted photos or would you mind posting some for us to see? Thank you so very much.

DornCounty · Tue Jun 20, 2017 7:47 am

Rockchalk wrote:Thanks for posting. I'm a couple hours north of you. If I can find the time I'll take a drive down and see your project while the martins are still around. Very cool.

Let me know when you are down.. be happy to give you a tour. Do it in the next couple weeks as most will be fledged by the 4th.

DornCounty · Tue Jun 20, 2017 7:55 am

Lewis wrote:Andrew, I too want to thank you for what you have been able to accomplish. From you previous post I know you are a member of the Audubon Society and your interest extend beyond purple martins. I know you realize that the mere existence of purple martins depends on all of us maintaining housing , at least for the eastern US, but what you have done goes far beyond that. The resurrection of the Parson Colony should be one of the most significant accomplishments of the PMCA and deserves an article in the Update. If we still had Landlord of the year you would get my vote.
Lewis
PS The Kansas Flint Hills and the last of The Tall Grass Prairie is a special place.

Flint Hills are awesome. Love to drive them. too bad only about half the landowners appreciate that fact. Trees are slowly taking them over.

DornCounty · Tue Jun 20, 2017 7:56 am

Martinfarmer wrote:Hello Andrew, thank you for your dedication to the purple martins.
I have a question, have you already posted photos or would you mind posting some for us to see? Thank you so very much.

Things are little different than this post.. but it's pretty close.

https://www.purplemartin.org/forum/view ... =2&t=28187

Rockchalk · Tue Jun 20, 2017 3:04 pm

DornCounty wrote:
Rockchalk wrote:Thanks for posting. I'm a couple hours north of you. If I can find the time I'll take a drive down and see your project while the martins are still around. Very cool.

Let me know when you are down.. be happy to give you a tour. Do it in the next couple weeks as most will be fledged by the 4th.

Not looking good for a visit prior to the 4ths. Buzy summer with my kids. Thanks for the invite and offer. Will keep you in mind for next year. Good luck!!!!

Dick Sherry · Tue Jun 20, 2017 4:47 pm

Great job, Dorn!! And the martins really need friends like you!