Iowa Purple Martin Organization

07/18/2026

Place where you might be able to purchase Carbaryl instead of the old Sevin dust:

Controls many insects in vegetable

07/06/2026

One of our members was asking for an educational experience about purple martins for his grand-daughter. I'm unable to give public presentations due to my disabling medical issues. But, once grandpa responds to me with his location, maybe we can seek out someone willing to educate the eager new purple martin young lady. If you are up to the challenge and are close to their location; maybe we can make it happen. Private message me if you are interested.

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06/17/2026

With Iowa's last two storms we were able to witness the destructive force of wind. If your colony set up was in some way hurt; please consider upgrading the strength of the system. Poles are usually the first to see damage. At the end of the season when our friendly friends have left for Brazil, replace any flimsy poles with something much more sturdy.

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06/09/2026

Congrats everyone for our group making it to 250 members. Well done.

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06/01/2026

2026 ASY / SY Arrival Reports
Lockridge, IA 2026-03-06 Tim Millard
Ottumwa, IA 2026-03-08 Steve Johnson
Creston, IA 2026-03-11 Curtis Bolinger
Burlington, IA 2026-03-15 John Carter
Nevada, IA 2026-03-19 Dave Duit
Washington, IA 2026-03-17 Jill Hartzler
Ames, IA 2026-03-19 Ada Hayden Heritage Park
Council Bluffs, IA 2026-03-20 Dave B.
Blakesburg, IA 2026-03-21 Jeff Keep
Washington, IA 2026-03-21 Adam Todd
Knoxville, IA 2026-03-21 Doug Ripperger
Lorimor, IA 2026-03-21 Name Withheld
Kalona, IA 2026-03-21 Ken Miller
New Sharon, IA 2026-03-22 Lynn Herschberger
West Point, IA 2026-03-22 Michael Sporkman
Avoca, IA 2026-03-24 Cheryl Butcher
Kalona, IA 2026-03-25 Toby Miller
Dubuque, IA 2026-03-25 Todd Peil
Riverside, IA 2026-03-26 Verlaine Schlueter Ockenfels
Keystone, IA 2026-03-26 David Steil
Eldridge, IA 2026-03-26 Steve Gibson
Ottumwa, IA 2026-03-26 George Rumph
Peru, IA 2026-03-29 Connie Manny
Dubuque, IA 2026-03-30 Ry Meyer
Marengo, IA 2026-03-30 James Schmuecker
Bennett, IA 2026-03-30 Frederick Koopmann
Pella, IA 2026-03-30 Paul Vande Kieft
West Des Moines, IA 2026-03-29 Tim Gedler
Huxley, IA 2026-03-30 Keisha Cretsinger
Arispe, IA 2026-04-01 Loni Vanderpluym
Middle, IA2026-04-01 Dan Ray
Amana, IA 2026-04-02 Russell Eimers
Mount Pleasant, IA 2026-04-02 Robert Anderson
Eldora, IA 2026-04-03 Tonya Critz Hauser
Holland, IA 2026-04-03 Name Withheld
Creston, IA 2026-04-04 Roger Main
Ames, IA 2026-04-05 Alan Bergman
Everly, IA 2026-04-06 Tom & Kathy Goeken
Albia, IA 2026-04-08 Nicki Pumphrey
Dallas Center, IA 2026-04-08 Deloiter
West Des Moines, IA 2026-04-08 Tim Gedler - Home Site
Osceola, IA 2026-04-09 Rick McDowell
Elk Horn, IA 2026-04-09 Danish Museum
Elk Horn, IA 2026-04-09 Warren Watson
Kalona, IA 2026-04-09 Conrad Hertzler
Council Bluffs, IA 2026-04-09 Dixie Tepner Craft
Nevada, IA 2026-04-09 Cougler
Waterloo, IA 2026-04-10 Becky Trunnell
Dallas Center, IA 2026-04-10 Keith Winey
Avoca, IA 2026-04-11 Kim Peters
Sioux City, IA 2026-04-11 Chad Robson
Moville, IA 2026-04-11 John Neely
Marion, IA 2026-04-11 Brandon Combs
Council Bluffs, IA 2026-04-11 Cindy Hrvol
Altoona, IA 2026-04-11 Phil Seibert
Grundy Center, IA 2026-04-11 Jerry Cassiday
Council Bluffs, IA 2026-04-11 David Graham
Lake City, IA 2026-04-11 James Steufert
Grundy Center, IA 2026-04-11 Paul & Martha Sealman
Portsmouth, IA 2026-04-11 Karen Oloff
Orleans, IA 2026-04-12 Roger Rieck
Huxley, IA 2026-04-12 Keisha Kading
Madrid, IA 2026-04-12 Chelsie Renae Adams
Bellevue, IA 2026-04-12 John Pitlo
Ames, IA 2026-04-12 Pamela Hawhee
Rock Rapids, IA 2026-04-12 Justin Blauwet
Cedar Rapids, IA 2026-04-12 Randy Dvorak
Cedar Rapids, IA 2026-04-12 William Rhoads
Elgin, IA 2026-04-12 Gretchen Boleyn
Sidney, IA 2026-04-12 Brad Johnson
Storm Lake, IA 2026-04-12 SG
Toddville, IA 2026-04-12 Jeff Miller
Glidden, IA 2026-04-12 WildcatRT
Elgin, IA 2026-04-12 Bob & Helen Medberry
Granger, IA 2026-04-12 Jester Park Golf Course
Atlantic, IA 2026-04-12 Tyler Knuth
Harpers Ferry, IA 2026-04-12 Ben Corell
DeWitt, IA 2026-04-12 Marjorie Goddard
Orleans, IA 2026-04-12 Roger Rieck
Adel, IA 2026-04-12 Jeff Grey
Craig, IA 202604-12 Ed Clark
Adel, IA 2026-04-13 Joani Feiner
Elgin, IA 2026-04-13 David Adams
Arispe, IA 2026-04-13 Loni Vanderpluym
Arcadia, IA 2026-04-13 Lee Shiney
New Hartford, IA 2026-04-13 Richard Fisher
Guttenberg, IA 2026-04-13 Guttenberg Aquarium
Vanessa Gray 2026-04-13 Waukee / Adel border
Lake Mills, IA 2026-04-14 Tyler Olson
Mapleton, IA 2026-04-14 Carol Pritchard
Woodward, IA 2026-04-14 Robert Begey
Milford, IA 2026-04-14 Steve Hroswell
Manson, IA 2026-04-16 James Mormann
Alton, IA 2026-04-16 Sheryl Slegers
Everly, IA 2026-04-16 Gertie Chapman
Britt, IA 2026-04-17 Lynn Davis
Fairfield, IA 2026-04-22 Dale Ingwersen
Robins, Iowa scouts arrive 4/24/26 Brad Roos
West Union, IA 2026-04-25 Dennis Alcorn
West Union, IA 2026-04-26 Dennis Alcorn
Bevington, IAS 2026-05-03 John Kliegl
Harpers Ferry, IA 2026-05-01 William Dedic
Sioux City, IA 2026-05-04 Whisky Creek
Pleasant Hill, IA 2026-05-08 Dave Colbert
Red Oak, IA 2026-05-08 Name Withheld
SY (second year) arrivals
New Sharon, IA 2026-04-27 Lynn Herschberger
Lockridge, IA 2026-05-06 Shawn Skillman
Bennett, IA 2026-05-09 Frederick Koopmann
Pleasant Hill, IA 2026-05-15 Dave Colbert
Washington, IA 2026-05-24 Adan Todd
Grundy Center, IA 2026-05-25 Paul & Martha Sealman
Council Bluffs, IA 2026-05-27 Dave Boos

05/31/2026

DEALING WITH GNATS SOLUTION." First, I use absorbine jr. soaked into cotton balls, put two in each nest down in nesting material. I do this every couple days.
IF they are really bad, spray Absorbine Ultra Shield EX Insecticide outside of house or gourd with this horse spray, only on the outside. If you don't stop them they will kill all your young ones . Believe me ,I know from experience! It works , here to help Tim millard. " Spray only on the outside of the gourds or housing; never inside the cavity. Absorbine UltraShield EX Insecticide, Kills & Repels Horse Fly Spray Refill, 32-fl oz bottle. Here is a picture of the product and can be purchased at farm type stores such as Theisens. Also, click on the link below for a full article from the PMCA. Buffalo gants are sometimes called black flies. https://www.purplemartin.org/uploads/media/13-4-blackflies-364.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0oQhPKpskKduriRKqHKla5agAjVPGWBRa-18TGctQ6plw3P9xPCQmlA2Q

05/29/2026

This years ASY / SY reports by our Iowa members totaled 111. We will continue to post results in the years ahead. Well done everyone and thanks you.

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05/12/2026

Beginners. Here is a must read link to start off on the right foot. Once one the page; pay speacial attention to all the sub topics to the left.

Hosting Purple Martin birds in your backyard is easy if you know how to get started! Learn about Purple Martin housing, attraction, and more.

05/11/2026

SY sub adults are moving into southern Iowa. Hang on new wannabe martin folks. Here is the best chance of starting your new colony this season. Be very aptient in starting a new colony. It took me 5 years before I got my first pair. Others have even waited over 10 years. Don't give up.

04/28/2026

The SY (second year) young martins will be moving over the southern border of Iowa next week. For those beginners looking to start your colony; these younger martins born last year are most likely going to be the beginnings of your new colony. Stay patient as they move toward the north. Remebr that it can take years before a person has their first nesting pair. It is the growing pains of the hobby. Time out everyone. Lynn Herschberger from New Sharon, Iowa has posted the first SY arrival in the state. Congrats Lynn.

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