6th Annual Purple Martin Workshop/Seminar-March 12, 2011

Press release, distributed by Iowa City Bird Club:

JOHNSON COUNTY SONGBIRD PROJECT

1033 E. WASHINGTON  IOWA CITY, IA 52240-5248

For Immediate Release-February 17, 2011        Contact: Jim Walters

                            (319) 466-1134

NEWS RELEASE

About: 6th Annual Purple Martin Workshop/Seminar-March 12, 2011

A workshop/seminar on attracting Purple Martins will be held Saturday, March 12, beginning at 9:10 A.M. at the CAM Iowa Clothing Center (1005 Nutmeg Ave) 1.8 miles north of Kalona, IA and one mile east off Highway 1.

The Purple Martin is one of our most wanted songbirds since a well-maintained colony brings joy to any neighborhood. Martin populations are rebounding across North America as people put up improved housing and learn proper monitoring techniques. Establishing a new colony is now a realistic possibility for many people.

The afternoon program will feature a very experienced martin "landlord", Dick Russell of Farmington, Missouri, who will speak on what houses work best, where and when to put them up, controlling predators and competitors, and more. There will be a short demonstration of doing nest changes followed by a panel of veteran martin landlords who will answer questions from the audience.

Anyone wanting to start or re-establish a Purple Martin colony, or in need of assistance in maintaining a colony, will benefit from attending this program.

Morning sessions will include a program on invasive species in Iowa by David Wehde of the Johnson County Conservation Board, a progress update on the second Iowa Breeding Bird Atlas by Billy Reiter-Marolf of Garner, Iowa, and a program on creative habitat projects for various bird species by Ivan Ray Miller of Jamesport, Missouri.

There will be a $2.00 registration fee (ages 10 and under free). Lunch will be available at the site. Vendors are being encouraged to set up displays of interest to program attendees.

For more information, or if you would like to have a booth, please contact: Evan Gingerich, 2282 Johnson-Washington Rd. SW, Kalona, IA 52247 (319) 656-3629 (voice mail) or Jim Walters at (319) 466-1134.

 Schedule

        8:00 A.M.- Building opens

                - coffee & doughnuts for early birds.

        8:30 A.M.- Registration

        9:10 A.M.- Introductions

        9:15 A.M.-"Invasive Species in Iowa"

                - David Wehde, Jo. Co. Conservation Board

            10:00 A.M.-"Iowa Breeding Bird Atlas-Round II"

                - Billy Reiter-Marolf, Granger, IA

            10:45 A.M.-"Creating Habitat for Birds"

                - Ivan Ray Miller, Jamesport, MO

            11:30 A.M.-Break - Lunch available on site

                (free will offering to CAM Center appreciated)

        1:00 P.M.-"Martins & Their Lifestyles"

                - Dick Russell, Farmington, MO

        1:50 P.M.-Nest Change Demonstration

        2:00 P.M.-Questions & Answers - panel of veteran landlords

        2:30 P.M.-Door Prizes & Auction