Purple Martin Workshop 2017

Remember the birds roosting at Embassy Suites last summer?  Come learn about what the Purple Martins do the rest of the year.  Do you want to know more about Purple Martins, how to set up a colony, and be a Purple Martin landlord? Are you an existing landlord, wanting to meet other Martin aficionados and learn tips? Have you always wanted to be a citizen scientist, gathering useful data that can help Martin conservation efforts? If so, this class is for you. The class will meet in Southeast Austin on Saturday, February 11 from 1-4 pm.

The first Purple Martins typically arrive in Austin at the end of January, so this class will give you information you can put to use right away, either at your own colony, or observing Martins at Hornsby Bend or any other existing colony. This class will focus on the life cycle of Purple Martins and how you can participate as a Purple Martin landlord or helper. You will learn the maintenance routine recommended by the Purple Martin Conservation Association. You will also learn how to record and send in nesting data that is compiled nationally. We will also include hands-on nest preparation and discussion at the Hornsby Bend colony.

Class participants are invited to participate through mid-June as helpers and observers as the class teachers maintain and record the 2016 Purple Martin season at Hornsby Bend. Later in the summer, we will invite class members to join us in educating others at the giant Purple Martin roost. 

Andy and Julia Balinsky have been the stewards of the Hornsby Bend Purple Martin colony since 2003. They have watched over 1300 Purple Martin babies fledge during that time. They have also spent many evenings watching the Martin pre-migration staging roost in the late summer.

Class participants should bring paper and pen for taking notes.
Snacks will be provided.

Contact Nancy Radding at nradding@sbcglobal.net with questions.
 

Please note that by registering, you agree to the Travis Audubon Payment, Withdrawal, and Refund Policy.

If Travis Audubon cancels the class, workshop, or other fee-based event, we will fully refund the tuition.