The first Purple Martins to return to ECMPMR colonies arrived on April 7th at the ECE Colony in Braham, MN.  This is the earliest arrival in the history of the ECMPMR project!  As you can see, these very old Purple Martins are still committed to an old Trio Castle.  Even though most of the Castle compartments were plugged last year one or two pairs still nested in them.  The others nested in the T-14 or Excluder Gourds.  I sure hope these early returnees can survive this early in the year!