South Mountain Audubon Society
On behalf of the South Mountain Audubon Society, thank you very much for hanging the Purple Martin bird houses again this year. We know it has been a rough spring and that there are many important tasks that you have had to deal with this strange year and we are grateful that you were able to get the houses up in time for the return of the birds this year. It is important to our community that the flock of Purple Martins that nest here each summer be able to find their homes when they return each spring. They eat vast quantities of insects and contribute chemical-free insect control. Purple Martins are the largest swallows in North America and the colonies are almost 100 percent dependent on human-supplied housing. The hanging houses at the college are ideally sited next to the pond, which attracts numerous insects. These graceful birds primarily eat flying insects such as moths, gnats, flies, and mosquitoes, which they catch midair. After their chicks hatch, Purple Martin parents feed their babies up to 60 times a day. Both the male and females help feed the young birds.
The South Mountain Audubon Society is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization affiliated with the National Audubon Society. It aims to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity, focusing on Adams County. Our members thank you again for your continued role in supporting the local Purple Martin colony. Best wishes during this difficult time!
Sincerely,
Kathryn L. Gelner, Secretary