[va-richmond-general] "Gone to the Birds"
- From: s.ridd@xxxxxxx
- To: va-richmond-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:06:48 +0000
PURPLE MARTIN FESTIVAL “GONE TO THE BIRDS”
Through education, comes understanding
Through understanding, comes appreciation
Through appreciation, comes preservation
Through preservation, comes protection.
-1984, Chief Naturalist Dennis Carter, Shenandoah National Park
Sometimes it takes a long time to make people realize that they have something very special like the
pre-migratory roost site of Purple Martins in Shockhoe Bottom. The key players who have aided that understanding are the following:
Mayor Doug Wilder: As Governor of the Commonwealth in the 1980’s, Mayor Wilder signed into law the bill that created Kiptopeke State Park (instead of a residential subdivision. The blueprints still exist in a file). Kiptopeke Bird Banding Station is now the most Southern bird banding station with the longest continuous banding records thanks to Mayor Wilder.
“Jimmy” Fitzgerald: Examining the Doppler radar that he uses to report weather conditions in Charles City County for a local television station, Jimmy saw the “rings” of Purple Martins flying from two roost sites at sunrise and he found them in 2006. A passionate Purple Martin “landlord,” he has helped increase public awareness of the Shockhoe Bottom roost site.
Mike Wilson, Center for Conservation Biology: A biologist for the Center, Mike has been counting and estimating the populations of Purple Martins at the roost. It is thought that the highest number of birds will be observed in late July or early August.
The Media: Richmond Times-Dispatch reporter Rex Springston wrote the first article in 2007 and followed that article with a second one this summer. A.J. Lagoe of Channel 8 and Tara Morgan of Fox Channel 12 have also contributed in raising public awareness.
Steve Osberger and Jon Baliles: Steve took it upon himself to negotiate approval for a Purple Martin festival through the Mayor’s office. With his sharp business acumen, he was successful! Jon Baliles of the Office of the Mayor will be representing him since Steve will be away.
If you see these people during the Festival or in August at the roost site, thank them for raising public awareness of Purple Martins. And thank the volunteers who come from the Purple Martin Conservation Association, National Audubon Society, Richmond Audubon Society, Virginia Society of Ornithology, and the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Come get some free raspberry sherbet (Nicely Brothers), visit with old birding buddies and enjoy the Purple Martins!
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- » [va-richmond-general] "Gone to the Birds"
PURPLE MARTIN FESTIVAL “GONE TO THE BIRDS”
Through education, comes understanding
Through understanding, comes appreciation
Through appreciation, comes preservation
Through preservation, comes protection.
-1984, Chief Naturalist Dennis Carter, Shenandoah National Park
Sometimes it takes a long time to make people realize that they have something very special like the
pre-migratory roost site of Purple Martins in Shockhoe Bottom. The key players who have aided that understanding are the following:
Mayor Doug Wilder: As Governor of the Commonwealth in the 1980’s, Mayor Wilder signed into law the bill that created Kiptopeke State Park (instead of a residential subdivision. The blueprints still exist in a file). Kiptopeke Bird Banding Station is now the most Southern bird banding station with the longest continuous banding records thanks to Mayor Wilder.
“Jimmy” Fitzgerald: Examining the Doppler radar that he uses to report weather conditions in Charles City County for a local television station, Jimmy saw the “rings” of Purple Martins flying from two roost sites at sunrise and he found them in 2006. A passionate Purple Martin “landlord,” he has helped increase public awareness of the Shockhoe Bottom roost site.
Mike Wilson, Center for Conservation Biology: A biologist for the Center, Mike has been counting and estimating the populations of Purple Martins at the roost. It is thought that the highest number of birds will be observed in late July or early August.
The Media: Richmond Times-Dispatch reporter Rex Springston wrote the first article in 2007 and followed that article with a second one this summer. A.J. Lagoe of Channel 8 and Tara Morgan of Fox Channel 12 have also contributed in raising public awareness.
Steve Osberger and Jon Baliles: Steve took it upon himself to negotiate approval for a Purple Martin festival through the Mayor’s office. With his sharp business acumen, he was successful! Jon Baliles of the Office of the Mayor will be representing him since Steve will be away.
If you see these people during the Festival or in August at the roost site, thank them for raising public awareness of Purple Martins. And thank the volunteers who come from the Purple Martin Conservation Association, National Audubon Society, Richmond Audubon Society, Virginia Society of Ornithology, and the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Come get some free raspberry sherbet (Nicely Brothers), visit with old birding buddies and enjoy the Purple Martins!