FreeLists / tn-bird / [TN-Bird] Purple Martin Event

["Ron Kingston" <kingston@xxxxxxxxxx>]

11th Annual Purple Martin Day 
The only Purple Martin Event in VA
 Sat June 25, 9:30 to 1 PM,  Free
At the Wood's Farm in Louisa County
 Near US 15 and County Rt  640,  
Info: Contact the Kingston's 434.293.5173
http://www.purplemartin.org/meetings/


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ELEVENTH ANNUAL PURPLE MARTIN FIELD DAY 

Date: Saturday, June 25, 2005 Time: 9:30 A.M. to Noon

On Saturday, June 25, 2005, the Eleventh Annual Purple Martin Field Day will be 
held at the farm of Mrs. Merle D. Wood and Mr. Lance D. Wood in Central 
Virginia (about 100 miles south and west of Washington, D.C.; about 40 miles 
west of Richmond, VA; and about 20 miles east of Charlottesville, VA). Last 
year (2004) more than 100 Purple Martin enthusiasts attended the annual event, 
which is enjoyed by all. 

Any person interested in establishing, restoring, or expanding a Purple Martin 
Colony is invited to learn about and see in operation the most up-to-date and 
effective techniques and technology available for successful Purple Martin 
stewardship and management, as recommended by the Purple Martin Conservation 
Association. It is difficult to establish and maintain a healthy Purple Martin 
colony without using the techniques explained and
demonstrated at this Field Day, because of the many challenges and difficulties 
that beset Purple Martin colonies. This event will show you how the Wood family 
has overcome those difficulties, and expanded their Purple Martin colony from 
four pairs of Purple Martins in 1992 to approximately 90 nesting pairs today. 

Topics to be covered include:
* how to establish and increase a colony of Purple Martins;
* advantages and disadvantages of different types of martin housing;
* how to protect Martins from starlings, House Sparrows, snakes, owls, 
raccoons, etc.; 
* adding the newly-developed starling-resistant entrance holes to martin gourds 
and houses; 
* how to protect martin housing from windstorms and other hazards;
* how to grow and process purple martin nesting gourds;
* life history of Purple Martins; etc.

 Field Day events will begin at 9:30 a.m. and last about two hours, followed by 
an optional discussion on Bluebirds and Tree Swallows, and a short nesting box 
trail tour, including nesting boxes for bluebirds, tree swallows, kestrels, 
barn owls, etc. The Field Day event is free, but voluntary donations will be 
appreciated to help defray costs. The rain date is the following day, Sunday, 
June 26, 2005. The hosts request that guests do not bring pets.