Minnesota Purple Martin Roost Pontoon Trips Schedule

[Kelly Applegate~MN]

I'm pleased to announce that we are once again going to bring pontoons out to the roost on Big Swan Lake near Burtrum, MN starting in a couple weeks. Please contact me (call or email) ASAP to get the desired date you want.

The roost is expected to be far better than last year, which was effected by the die-off of young. I strongly encourage those who have not seen a martin roost to come and check this out, it really is a nice way to top-off a season of hard work as landlords to see the fruits of your labor as thousands of martin fly just feet away from the pontoon.

The following times are available at this point and will fill up fast:

Wednesday 8-18, 6 seats open
Friday 8-20, 10 seats open
Monday 8-23, 10 seats open
Wednesday 8-25, 3 seats open
Monday 8-30, 10 seats open
Friday 9-3, 10 seats open

There will be a donation jar for the pontoon volunteer, and any donations are greatly appreciated to cover their time and expense.

Our meeting time will be 7:00PM at the public landing on the SE shore of Big Swan Lake in Todd County. If your feeling adventurous, you can drive the area roads before we meet, especially near Swanville and Burtrum to see hundreds of martins staging on powerlines. Feel free to bring a spotting scope and scan for banded birds. The working group has banded over 1,500 this year!

Cancellations due to weather: I will call the morning of the trip to cancel in case of bad weather.

Also note that this is a natural phenomenon that is dependent on the birds selecting this site again, if the martins choose another roost site, we will try to accommodate, but no guarantees that we can coordinate this event on another lake.

I will also be taking orders for PMWG shirts ($20) and hats ($12) each night of the roost visit...checks or cash fine.

All are welcome!

Kelly Applegate, Wildlife Biologist & Director of Minnesota Purple Martin Working Group
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Department of Natural Resources / Environment
Cell: (763) 221-0320 email: madisonscout@gmail.com

[Dick Sherry]

Kelly, I hope your events are a big success. If we were closer, I would like to come see that roost. Good luck!