Grand Prairie Purple Martin Day Proclamation
Author: Robert Mohler
A Message From One of Our PMLNT Members
A Message From Our PMLNT Member,
Robert Good afternoon, thank you so much for the information on the new Martin roost on N. Tarrant Parkway.
Also, just to let you know, this year both my son and I lost many young martins because of the heat in June. We have 60 gourds, most of them super gourds so it’s next to impossible to place shade structures over the top of the gourds.
After the early losses, I tried a different approach. I took a large bath towel, cut it up into four pieces, in the center of each piece cut a slit. I put two of those stacked on top of each other on the top of the individual gourds (note the photo) where I still had young Martin’s that had not fledged. Every 2 1/2 hours or so, we soaked those towels down with cold water from the hose. After that time, we have had temperatures all the way from 105 to 114°.
As of now, I only have one nest of Young Martins that have not fledged. So glad we were able to save those Young Martins.
Thought you might want to share this with other club members. Noelyn Butch Isom
Fort Worth Purple Martin Pre-Migratory Roost July & August 2022
26b8820829deb36cb3e0d1d3ad91895c
Click the link above to see the 2022 Fort Worth pre-migratory roost.
This large pre-migratory roost is located in far North Fort Worth off of Spring Mist Cove. When traveling north on North Beach Street, after crossing North Tarrant Parkway you will see Spring Mist Cove on your right hand side that leads back to the apartment complex. Go a block and you will see a large parking open parking lot on your right. The PM roost in the trees near this lot.
For the past three nights, they have been coming from the north and also the west at 8:45 PM. Estimated to be 25,000 to 30,000 martins.
A is a must see if you’ve never witness a pre-migratory roost. We took out young nieces and nephews and they were so excited to see all the Martins.
They should remain at this location until the first week of August at which time they will all depart to migrate back to Brazil for the winter and will return in the spring.
If you have any questions, please contact us at:
info@purplemartinlandlordsofnorthtexas.com
Click on the link above to see what the roost in Fort Worth looked like in mid July 2022
Purple Martins Need Your Help
As reported by the Audubon Society when it comes to living in the wild, Purple Martins are out of practice. They’ve grown so used to birdhouses, they no longer know how to search for nests out in nature. It’s a serious conundrum— their populations have declined by 6% annually since 2002.
Purple Martins are among the first birds to return to the states during spring migration. Clumps of martins depart from South America and make their way to the East Coast, where they settle into human-made nest boxes. Usually these homes are made out of hollow gourds, though some are designed as multi-story apartments made of aluminum, wood, or plastic.
For hundreds of years, humans have provided a safe haven for the martins, but they’ve contributed to the birds downfall as well. In the 19th century, the European Starling and the House Sparrow were brought to the United States, causing Purple Martin populations to suffer dramatically. The exotics took over martin houses, and in some cases, massacred the nestlings inside. It was a European invasion—- one that continues on today.
Still in late summer months, Purple Martins are ubiquitous around South Carolina’s Bomb Island. Biologist and birders drift over Lake Murray in their boats to attend the thronging of the birds. This year 2002, they were disappointed to find that the birds hadn’t turned up. It was a mystery that NPR’s Adam Cole (the brain behind the science blog Skunk Bear) had to investigate. “I just kept imagining the amazing spectacle,” Cole says. “But the birds weren’t there. How did half a million birds go missing?”
Click the link PM below to see what the martins are asking us!
Purple Martin Pre-Migratory Roost August 2022
In August 2021, we discovered a new Purple Martin pre-migratory roost just 1/4 mile from our home in Far North Fort Worth, TX. The roost was located just north of the Walmart parking lot at North Beach Street and North Tarrant Parkway.
We had noticed every evening around 8 PM, Martins were flying and circling above our backyard colony. We thought that these were our fledglings who were just stopping by to say goodbye before their migration south, we were just happy to see them once again…
One evening, we were traveling east on North Tarrant Parkway, when we noticed thousands of birds circling above a stand of trees near the Walmart parking lot. As we got closer, we realized we had located a pre-migratory roost right near where we live.
With great excitement, we called our friends and family to come see this awesome sight. Many people stopped and asked questions and wanted to know what was going on with all these birds and this was our opportunity to promote and educate others about this wonderful bird, The Purple Martin.
Above is a 2022 roost video we took on 28 July 2022, with a song of Jimmy Buffett called Migration.
If you are in our area in early late July or first week of August2022, and would like to experience this awesome sight, drop me a note and perhaps we can meet up to exchange information and share our love of Purple Martins.
info@purplemartinsofnorthtexas.com
Robert Mohler
Vice President
PURPLE MARTIN (PROGNE SUBIS) FACT SHEET
Landlord Spotlight June 2022
How did we get interested in being Purple Martin landlords? In 2004, our son bought us a S&K Martin house for Christmas. We began our search to find out what type of bird used this type house. We learn that the North American migratory bird called the Purple Martin or Progne Subis is the largest of the swallow family and that they migrate from Brazil to North American each year to mate and raise their young. We also read that we would need a pole that could be raised and lowered to do the weekly nest checks. The pole should have a height of 12 to 14 feet. We’re learning!
In the spring of 2005, we placed the pole and house in an area of our back yard that had a good clear flight path and away from trees. In March of 2005, we had 2 pair of martins that decided to call the S&K house home. We were so excited to watch their flight and listen to their chatter. We fledged 7 young that year and we were hooked on being Purple Martin landlords.
In 2008 we found a group of dedicated Purple Martin Landlords in Grand Prairie, TX who called themselves Purple Martin Landlords of North Texas. Ms. Gisela Fregoe was the president and founder of this organization. We decided to check them out. They held monthly meetings at the Grand Prairie Library where Gisela conducted educational training and mentoring for new and established landlords. We learned most of what we know about Purple Martins from attending those monthly meeting where everyone shared their landlord experiences and ideas. A wonderful group of folks.
Long ago we retired the S&K house and decided to replace that with two gourd racks. We now have forty-two nesting cavities that we pre-build each spring with the soft East Texas pine needles and a spoon of Diatomaceous Earth to help control those pesky mites.
Last year we had a slow start due to the unusual cold temperatures in February 2021, but were able to fledge 131 fledglings. 2022 is looking much better. We purchased two Bling cameras this year and placed them in two of the gourds to monitor two of the nests. Things seem to be going very well and with our weekly nest checks, it appears 2022 will be another great season.
PMLNT Board Meeting 23 October 2021
We met at the Grand Prairie, TX Airport lounge and had a very good business meeting. Mr. Chris Ginepp from the city came to ensure their continued support for us. This was the first meeting we were able to have since Covid 19 and it was great to see everyone again. Plans were initiated for the World Migratory Bird Day and Marty Party scheduled for 14 May 2022 at the Grand Prairie Summit.
Board members present were from left to right are: Ray Doss, Brooke and John Pearson, Kathy Ritterhouse, Gisela and Dick Fregoe, Bobette Mauck, Sammie and Robert Mohler.
PMLNT Organization Officers
Elected Officers
President & Founder: Gisela Fregoe
Vice President: Kathy Ritterhouse
Vice President: Robert Mohler
Secretary: Judy Schmidt
Tresurer: Larry Skinner
Appointed Positions
Membership: Sammie and Robert Mohler
Welcome: Vacant
Hospitality: Brenda and Larry Skinner
Director of Photography: Vacant
Email Notifications to Members: Robert Mohler
Web Administrator: Bobette Mauck
Web Editor: Robert Mohler
PM Colony Survey Manager: John Pearson
Facebook Administrator: Brooke and John Pearson
Special Assistant to the President: Richard Fregoe and Ray Doss
Share this:
Past Events & Recognition of PMLNT Organization.
PMLNT President, Gisela Fregoe and our members take every opportunity to inform and educate the public about this wonderful bird the Purple Martin. Below are several videos of this well deserved recognition.
The Covid pandemic put most of our programs on hold for several years. However, 2022 is looking to be a much better year for all of us. Wishing everyone a very successful Purple Martin year 2022!