Iowa Purple Martin Organization

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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05/19/2026

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
New Hatrford, IA 2026-05-16 Richard Fisher
Nevada, IA 2026-05-17 Dave Duit
Ames, IA 2026-05-18 Ada Hayden Satalite Colony

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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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04/04/2026

BIG MILESTONE FOR OUR ORGANIZATION. We have exceeded 200 members. Thank you is not enough. The organization grew from an idea years ago. That idea had slow beginnings with a small number of like minded Iowa purple martin enthusiasts at an outdoor park shelter in Madrid, Iowa. That spark grew to the wonderful group we are today. We have met new friends, made connections, assisted one another through this page, in person and events. Like a martin colony, we made our own Iowa colony grow. Together, you have all made this organization a nationally recognized organization. We are an affilaited organization of the PMCA, which holds high standards for affiliation. We are also recognized as a leading bird organization by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. These accolades don't come easy; but I can proudly express my gratitude to each and every one of our members for our accomplishments. My hope is that we will grow by hundreds more in the future. Continue to spread the word to others. I thank you and more importantly, the purple martins of Iowa thank you.

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03/13/2026

The 18th Annual Purple Martin Workshop/Seminar will be held Saturday, March 14, 2026 at the Cam Clothing Center just north of Kalona, IA. Iowa Clothing Center located at 1005 Nutmeg Ave, Kalona, IA beginning at 9:00 A.M. The afternoon martin presenters will include Mark Bowman and Don Lund. Mark is a retired professor and now active bird ba**er. He will be speaking on ;The Purple Martin, a Very Large, High-flying Swallow; looking not just at our North American martins, but also the other New World Martin species that share the Western Hemisphere - their plumage, diet, and life-cycle and how it impacts fostering them.
Don Lund is a life-time Martin enthusiast, recently retired from the University of Iowa. He will focus on his ongoing research into some surprising aspects of this species: Purple Martin Behavior - What items do martins bring back to their nests?
Morning presentations will include updates on Chimney swift conservation and trees.
Admission for the day is $3.00 and, as always, a lunch will be served at noon. The day will conclude with an auction and the presentation of door prizes.
For more information, or to reserve booth space, please contact:
Evan Gingerich, or Jim Walters. If you need their numbers please private message me, as Facebook does not allow personal contact information.

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