Did you know that eastern U.S. Purple Martins rely completely on humans for their summer nesting structures?
They have done so since the days when Native Americans hung gourds to attract them. Martins benefit humans by eating loads of insects! They are also entertaining, with graceful flights over lakes and streams. We need volunteers to help maintain Purple Martin breeding colonies.
Volunteers may assist with the following duties:
-- Deploy the towers and gourds in spring - March 1 - April 1
-- Weekly checks on breeding in each gourd - April 1 - August 15
-- Take down towers and gourds for cleaning & storage- August 15 - September 15
Volunteer requirements:
-- Time commitments are flexible.
-- You will work as a team with 1-3 other volunteers.
-- Breeding season, April to August, is the busiest time. Our goal is to check and document each gourd in the colony weekly; date and times are flexible. Nest checks on each tower take approximately 30 minutes for each of the 4 towers at Leaser Lake (84 gourds total). Other sites may vary in size and number of gourds.
-- Towers are mechanically operated for lowering and raising. No need to climb.
-- Basic knowledge of tools is helpful; equipment is provided.
To volunteer, please contact,
for Leaser Lake Park (Lehigh County):
Laurie Lyter
Treasurer, Leaser Lake Heritage Foundation
Llyter@ptd.net
for Minsi Lake Park (Northampton County):
Jim Wilson
Northampton County Parks Department
jwilson@norcopa.gov
for Beltzville State Park (Carbon County), Nockamixon State Park and Lake Towhee Park (Bucks County):
Colin Monahan
Lehigh Valley Audubon Society Habitat Chair
colin.p.monahan@gmail.com