Purple Martin (PUMA) house at the Biocore Prairie - 2022

May 11. 11 martins at the house.
May 2.
What an exciting day! The chirp must have spread among the PUMAs. They kept appearing at the house in ever increasing numbers.
Seth Mcgee reported on May 1: "There were 2 Purple Martins flying over the prairie and vocalizing 2:30-3:00 on 5/1. One (maybe both) visited gourd C a couple of times. I was casting prairie seed and the Tree Swallows were swooping around me; perhaps thinking the airborne seeds were insects. One Barn Swallow was also in the vicinity. Maybe if spring ever arrives, the martins will follow."
On May 2, Richard Ness reported 2 Purple Martin pairs at the house at 2 pm.
David Liebl's report at 3:45 pm was "Here they come....3:45 pm" with 9 martins flying about the house.
When Richard returned at 4:30 pm he counted 14 PUMAs.
May 2.
What an exciting day! The chirp must have spread among the PUMAs. They kept appearing at the house in ever increasing numbers.
Seth Mcgee reported on May 1: "There were 2 Purple Martins flying over the prairie and vocalizing 2:30-3:00 on 5/1. One (maybe both) visited gourd C a couple of times. I was casting prairie seed and the Tree Swallows were swooping around me; perhaps thinking the airborne seeds were insects. One Barn Swallow was also in the vicinity. Maybe if spring ever arrives, the martins will follow."
On May 2, Richard Ness reported 2 Purple Martin pairs at the house at 2 pm.
David Liebl's report at 3:45 pm was "Here they come....3:45 pm" with 9 martins flying about the house.
When Richard returned at 4:30 pm he counted 14 PUMAs.

April 29
On his morning birding walk in the Preserve, David Liebl observed two male and female purple martins explore the house and showing interest in condo #10.
On his morning birding walk in the Preserve, David Liebl observed two male and female purple martins explore the house and showing interest in condo #10.

Photo April 11
This morning at 9 am Richard Ness observed two martins at the house, and later in the day. David Liebl also observed a martin at nest box 1.
April 8.
Richard Ness reports: In a snowstorm? Literally it is snowing here heavy, and I looked up and there's the first Martin of spring coming out of the snowstorm and making a bee line to the closest gourd. He landed there a minute, then took off and flew around and flew back straight into the house #4. It is 4:45pm Friday April 8th. Anyone beat me in seeing the first Martin?
This morning at 9 am Richard Ness observed two martins at the house, and later in the day. David Liebl also observed a martin at nest box 1.
April 8.
Richard Ness reports: In a snowstorm? Literally it is snowing here heavy, and I looked up and there's the first Martin of spring coming out of the snowstorm and making a bee line to the closest gourd. He landed there a minute, then took off and flew around and flew back straight into the house #4. It is 4:45pm Friday April 8th. Anyone beat me in seeing the first Martin?
April 1: Grand opening of the Purple Martin house.
Seth McGee and David Liebl attached the gourds, oiled the winch, and installed the house boxes, with assistance of Gisela Kutzbach. Richard Ness joined the group. |
Above: Seth McGee is winching up the house. Photo Liebl.
Left: Gisela Kutzbach is inserting a nest box Seth McGee, Rochard Ness, David Liebl. Photos McGee It was a beautiful spring day. |