Purple Martin Expert in Jacksonville, FL? Starting school program

[ScienceTeacher]

Hello forum,

In January, I installed eight nest boxes for Eastern Bluebirds on my school campus. We had good fortune and had 27 fledglings this first year, and I had 13 fledglings at my home nest box. I plan to further increase the involvement of students with the bluebird project this year.

I am now interested in trying to attract Purple Martins to my school campus. We have an open area near water that I think will be good for nest boxes.

I am wondering if there is a Purple Martin expert near me in Jacksonville Florida. Are there any successful colonies nearby?

I also wonder if the grants mentioned only go to university researchers, or could a high school get funds to install gourds/boxes and start an education/monitoring program?

Any insights you can offer to get me on the right path would be appreciated. Thanks!

Brett

[John Barrow]

Hello Brett,
It sounds as though you have a fabulous science program started. As far as locating folks involved in hosting martins, I suggest you click on the "Research" tab at the top of the page and go to the Scout Arrival Study. On that page you can click on the preferred year, the state desired and push the view tab to see the names associated with towns denoting first arrival of martins. There are several reports from Jacksonville in 2016, and you can search for nearby towns in Florida and Georgia. It has been my experience that martin landlords are, almost without exception, willing to help others start this hobby and enjoy the antics of "America's most wanted bird".

Secondly, you can click on the "Education" tab above and scroll down to the Mentor Program and likewise hone in on any nearby mentors in FL or GA.

I do not know what the parameters are for PMCA grants, but I do know that many programs have started, many in schools, with supportive contributions coming from many arenas around the country.

Good luck with your endeavors.

[BioJoe]

Brett,

Give the PMCA a call at 814-833-7656. We help programs like yours all the time!

Joe Siegrist
PMCA

[arthurnottheking]

Re: Purple Martin Expert in Jacksonville, FL? Starting school program
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In January, I installed eight nest boxes for Eastern Bluebirds on my school campus. We had good fortune and had 27 fledglings this first year, and I had 13 fledglings at my home nest box. I plan to further increase the involvement of students with the bluebird project this year.

I am now interested in trying to attract Purple Martins to my school campus. We have an open area near water that I think will be good for nest boxes.

I am wondering if there is a Purple Martin expert near me in Jacksonville Florida. Are there any successful colonies nearby?

I also wonder if the grants mentioned only go to university researchers, or could a high school get funds to install gourds/boxes and start an education/monitoring program?

Any insights you can offer to get me on the right path would be appreciated. Thanks!

Brett

Hi Brett,

Purple Martins are indeed very social birds, however, it's a challenge to attract them to a new area, particularly, if there're no other Purple Martins to interact with. We had a remarkable opportunity to start a fundrasier at Patton Elementary School and get the money to purchase bord houses. I was in charge of the elementary school's environmental group a couple of years ago in Corpus Christi, then I moved to Austin and continued my career as an environmentalist and teacher here.

Arthur James

[flyin-lowe]

I am guessing with open flyways you could start a colony pretty quick. A big hurdle you will have to overcome is dealing with sparrows. Sparrows can't be allowed in the housing. Many of us shoot sparrows, which most schools will likely frown upon. Trapping is effective but your dilemma could be disposing of trapped birds. You definitely want to use SREH (starling resistant entrance holes) that way you won't have to deal with starling disposal also. I considered starting a colony at our school but in Indiana school is usually almost out by the time they are nesting and they usually fledge before school starts up in the fall so not much of a window for student interaction.

[loganriley]

Hello, I would like to add to my point of view. When I was at school we had a school program established for a lot of years ago. The students made nest boxes for birds in the park near the school. Unfortunately, for now, it's not quite a common tradition.