Many new SY (second year - hatched last year) Purple Martins have recently returned to east central Minnesota.  This handsome fella was attempting to lure a female to his chosen gourd at the Rush Lake Colony.

I just completed my third nest check of ECMPMR colonies - things are looking great!  The Memory Lake Colony, now in its fifth year has 22 nests, 15 of which have eggs.  The Snake River Colony activated last year with three pair, two of which were successful.   This year, the colony has 11 nests, 3 with eggs.  The Pokegama Lake Colony is in its first year and currently has 4 nests!  The ECE Colony was established many years ago.   This is the second year I have managed the colony.   Last year it had 18 nests.   This year it has 25 nests, 15 with eggs.  The Rush Lake Colony is new this year.   I'm very excited to report 10 nests, 2 with eggs.  Unfortunately, the Plastech Corp. Site still has no martin activity.   This housing may be moved to a more appropriate location for next year.  In total, there are 72 nests started!   Of course, not all of these will result in eggs.   However, I expect some SY pairs still need to begin building nests.   So, all-in-all, things are looking good in East Central MN!

House Sparrows continue to be a problem.  One egg was pecked at the ECE Colony (presumed by a House Sparrow).  I have also been actively trapping them (using insert traps in the Excluder Gourds) at the Memory Lake and ECE Colonies, where the House Sparrows are especially prevalent.  I have seen little House Sparrow activity at the other colonies.