An Often Overlooked Early Spring Fishery
Three spring fish from the pier.
By Jack Payne
I look forward to early-season fishing. I enjoy keeping it simple and as easy as possible. Chasing brown trout and coho jacks fits the bill for me. Yes, you can take a boat out and troll between the sandbars. And in a few weeks, we might just do that.
In the meantime, I enjoy fishing the piers. I have a friend who enjoys surf fishing, so take your pick. There are a few reasons why I enjoy the piers. First, the rivers dumping into Lake Michigan often add some color to the water and the rivers bring warmer water.
Second, I like the camaraderie found on the piers. Third, the piers at Holland and South Haven are easy to access. At this time of the year, I enjoy just getting out and taking things in a more relaxed manner.
My pier fishing arsenal is basic. In the past, I mentioned that casting is my favorite method and that still rings true. However, I do enjoy sticking a rod into a holder.
My go-to bait for a dead rod would be either a nightcrawler or a frozen smelt. I am not saying these are the best baits but they are the baits that I enjoy fishing the most. Other anglers use spawn, wigglers, and wax worms.
As the water temperature ticks up, a dead smelt will attract football-shaped browns. As is the case with any bait used, the type of rig will make a big difference.
The best rig uses some type of a sliding sinker. I lean towards the old bell sinker. One reason is that I make my sinkers. Two, they work and I can use the sinker for other types of fishing.
Slide your sinker onto your main line. Tie on a barrel swivel. Then tie on your leader that goes to your hook. The length of the leader depends on the amount of wind. The windier the day, the shorter the lead.
Sometimes this might be a foot or two. On a calm day, I favor a four-foot leader. Fluorocarbon leaders are a must.
When using smelt I will use a larger hook than when fishing a crawler. Circle or the Octopus hooks are my favorite. A size two or possibly a four when using the smelt and a six or even an eight might be used with a crawler. I also add a homemade stinger hook when the smelt is used.
The stinger hook will allow you to set the hook quickly if you like. Open the bail on your reel if you want to let the fish run a bit. With the sliding sinker concept, the fish will not feel the sinker's weight.
Casting for both the coho jacks and the brown trout I use just a few lures. Spoons work well and there are plenty to choose from. My favorite would be the Little Cleo spoons that glow in the dark color pattern.
My second favorite is the small Rapala Husky Jerks or the Shad Raps. I am targeting suspended fish and I wait for a lure that I can fish near the surface or down as deep as 10 feet.
The next two baits are oldies but goodies and hard to find. I bought the Flutter Spoon mold from Do-it-Molds. This is a fun lure to fish and I use it on many species from ice-out to freeze over.
The last lure I should not even mention, it’s that darn good. It’s the old Rocker Minnow, and if you search around you can find it in the one-eighth and one-quarter ounce sizes.
I bought a blank mold from Do-it-Molds and asked my neighbor if he could duplicate the few precious ones that still had. Now I have any size from one-sixteenth to one ounce. This is an incredible lure that can be fished in many ways.
Give the brown trout and the coho jacks a try. And start scouting your spring turkey locations. Remember that Grand Valley Sport Shop has you covered with all of your outdoor products.
I look forward to early-season fishing. I enjoy keeping it simple and as easy as possible. Chasing brown trout and coho jacks fits the bill for me. Yes, you can take a boat out and troll between the sandbars. And in a few weeks, we might just do that.
In the meantime, I enjoy fishing the piers. I have a friend who enjoys surf fishing, so take your pick. There are a few reasons why I enjoy the piers. First, the rivers dumping into Lake Michigan often add some color to the water and the rivers bring warmer water.
Second, I like the camaraderie found on the piers. Third, the piers at Holland and South Haven are easy to access. At this time of the year, I enjoy just getting out and taking things in a more relaxed manner.
My pier fishing arsenal is basic. In the past, I mentioned that casting is my favorite method and that still rings true. However, I do enjoy sticking a rod into a holder.
My go-to bait for a dead rod would be either a nightcrawler or a frozen smelt. I am not saying these are the best baits but they are the baits that I enjoy fishing the most. Other anglers use spawn, wigglers, and wax worms.
As the water temperature ticks up, a dead smelt will attract football-shaped browns. As is the case with any bait used, the type of rig will make a big difference.
The best rig uses some type of a sliding sinker. I lean towards the old bell sinker. One reason is that I make my sinkers. Two, they work and I can use the sinker for other types of fishing.
Slide your sinker onto your main line. Tie on a barrel swivel. Then tie on your leader that goes to your hook. The length of the leader depends on the amount of wind. The windier the day, the shorter the lead.
Sometimes this might be a foot or two. On a calm day, I favor a four-foot leader. Fluorocarbon leaders are a must.
When using smelt I will use a larger hook than when fishing a crawler. Circle or the Octopus hooks are my favorite. A size two or possibly a four when using the smelt and a six or even an eight might be used with a crawler. I also add a homemade stinger hook when the smelt is used.
The stinger hook will allow you to set the hook quickly if you like. Open the bail on your reel if you want to let the fish run a bit. With the sliding sinker concept, the fish will not feel the sinker's weight.
Casting for both the coho jacks and the brown trout I use just a few lures. Spoons work well and there are plenty to choose from. My favorite would be the Little Cleo spoons that glow in the dark color pattern.
My second favorite is the small Rapala Husky Jerks or the Shad Raps. I am targeting suspended fish and I wait for a lure that I can fish near the surface or down as deep as 10 feet.
The next two baits are oldies but goodies and hard to find. I bought the Flutter Spoon mold from Do-it-Molds. This is a fun lure to fish and I use it on many species from ice-out to freeze over.
The last lure I should not even mention, it’s that darn good. It’s the old Rocker Minnow, and if you search around you can find it in the one-eighth and one-quarter ounce sizes.
I bought a blank mold from Do-it-Molds and asked my neighbor if he could duplicate the few precious ones that still had. Now I have any size from one-sixteenth to one ounce. This is an incredible lure that can be fished in many ways.
Give the brown trout and the coho jacks a try. And start scouting your spring turkey locations. Remember that Grand Valley Sport Shop has you covered with all of your outdoor products.
First Cougar Cubs in More Than a Century Verified in Michigan
One of the cougar cubs that were recently discovered in the Upper Peninsula’s Ontonagon County.
Photo courtesy Michigan Department of Natural Resources
For the first time in more than 100 years, cougar cubs have been discovered living in the Michigan wild.
State biologists last week confirmed the existence of two cougar cubs on private land in Ontonagon County in the western Upper Peninsula. The spotted cubs, believed to be 7-to-9 weeks old, were verified from photographic evidence of the cubs taken March 6 by a local resident.
This is the first time cougar cubs have been verified since the big cats were hunted out of existence in Michigan in the early 1900s, said Brian Roell, large carnivore specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Roell, a wildlife biologist for 26 years, led the team that verified the cubs.
“It’s pretty exciting, considering this could be the first known cougar reproduction in modern times in the western Great Lakes states,” said Roell, referring to Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. “It really shows that we have a unique place in Michigan where someone has a chance to see a wolf, a moose and a cougar in the wild. It’s something that should be celebrated, that we have the habitat to support an elusive animal like this.”
The cubs were spotted and photographed without their mother. Cougar cubs are highly dependent on their mothers, often staying with them for the first two years of life.
Although cougars are native to Michigan, most of them now appear to be transient animals, dispersing into Michigan from Western states. The DNR has verified 132 adult cougar reports, Roell said, but DNA testing has confirmed only male cougars to date.
The cubs have not been spotted since March 6. “Those young cougars are very vulnerable right now,” Roell said. “We don’t know where they are or if they’re even alive. Mother Nature can be very cruel.”
Sightings can be logged in the DNR’s Eyes in the Field reporting system. Roell said cougars are on the list of endangered mammals in Michigan, meaning it’s illegal to hunt or harass them, which includes trying to locate their den. It’s also illegal to trespass on private property, he noted.
For the latest information on cougars, including the DNR’s cougar sightings photo page, visit Michigan.gov/Cougar.
State biologists last week confirmed the existence of two cougar cubs on private land in Ontonagon County in the western Upper Peninsula. The spotted cubs, believed to be 7-to-9 weeks old, were verified from photographic evidence of the cubs taken March 6 by a local resident.
This is the first time cougar cubs have been verified since the big cats were hunted out of existence in Michigan in the early 1900s, said Brian Roell, large carnivore specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Roell, a wildlife biologist for 26 years, led the team that verified the cubs.
“It’s pretty exciting, considering this could be the first known cougar reproduction in modern times in the western Great Lakes states,” said Roell, referring to Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. “It really shows that we have a unique place in Michigan where someone has a chance to see a wolf, a moose and a cougar in the wild. It’s something that should be celebrated, that we have the habitat to support an elusive animal like this.”
The cubs were spotted and photographed without their mother. Cougar cubs are highly dependent on their mothers, often staying with them for the first two years of life.
Although cougars are native to Michigan, most of them now appear to be transient animals, dispersing into Michigan from Western states. The DNR has verified 132 adult cougar reports, Roell said, but DNA testing has confirmed only male cougars to date.
The cubs have not been spotted since March 6. “Those young cougars are very vulnerable right now,” Roell said. “We don’t know where they are or if they’re even alive. Mother Nature can be very cruel.”
Sightings can be logged in the DNR’s Eyes in the Field reporting system. Roell said cougars are on the list of endangered mammals in Michigan, meaning it’s illegal to hunt or harass them, which includes trying to locate their den. It’s also illegal to trespass on private property, he noted.
For the latest information on cougars, including the DNR’s cougar sightings photo page, visit Michigan.gov/Cougar.
Walleye Egg Collection Starting Soon on the Muskegon River
Muskegon River walleye egg collections with electrofishing boats will start as early as the week of March 24 and conclude by April 12.
Photo courtesy Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Fishing the Muskegon River this spring? Be on the lookout for Michigan Department of Natural Resources personnel collecting walleye eggs below Croton Dam. Egg collections with electrofishing boats will start as early as the week of March 24 and conclude by April 12.
Four days of egg collections are planned this spring. The date those collections will begin depends on water temperatures and the presence of ripe fish (fish that are ready to spawn), and the schedule may change based on conditions.
The egg-take zone runs from Croton Dam downstream to the Pine Street Access Site, so anglers who wish to avoid the walleye collection activities should fish downstream from the Pine Street Access Site. Anyone fishing near the egg-collection zone should use caution when fishing near the electrofishing boats. For safety, anyone wading will be asked to exit the water when electrofishing boats approach.
Electrofishing usually begins at Croton Dam each day at 8 a.m. and proceeds downstream to the Pine Street Access Site. If more eggs are needed, additional collections may occur downstream to the Thornapple Avenue (High Rollway) Access Site.
The DNR plans to collect approximately 26 million walleye eggs from the Muskegon River this year. Some of the fry (fish that have just hatched) from these eggs will be directly placed in waters throughout the Lower Peninsula and some will be sent to rearing ponds. Walleye fry transferred to ponds will be raised to fingerling size (approximately 1.5 to 2.5 inches) and stocked in late spring or early summer in lakes and rivers throughout the state. A smaller number of fish will be reared through the summer months in select ponds and stocked as fall fingerlings (approximately 6 to 8 inches).
Lake Michigan and many inland lake walleye populations in the Lower Peninsula depend on the fingerlings produced from Muskegon River eggs. The number of spawning walleye in the Muskegon River has been estimated at 40,000 to 50,000 fish.
DNR crews will collect milt (sperm) and eggs from approximately 400 adult fish onsite this spring. These fish are immediately returned to the river — except for 60 fish, which will be collected for routine, annual health and disease surveillance testing at Michigan State University.
The Muskegon River has the largest run of walleye in the Lake Michigan watershed, south of Green Bay, and its adult walleye population is primarily stocked fish. These walleye contribute to populations in other areas, based on fish tags that are returned to the DNR by anglers. Walleye from the Muskegon River have been recaptured in Lake Macatawa, Spring Lake, Manistee Lake and Pigeon Lake, as well as the Grand, Kalamazoo, Pere Marquette and White rivers.
Learn more about how the DNR manages walleye at Michigan.gov/Walleye.
Four days of egg collections are planned this spring. The date those collections will begin depends on water temperatures and the presence of ripe fish (fish that are ready to spawn), and the schedule may change based on conditions.
The egg-take zone runs from Croton Dam downstream to the Pine Street Access Site, so anglers who wish to avoid the walleye collection activities should fish downstream from the Pine Street Access Site. Anyone fishing near the egg-collection zone should use caution when fishing near the electrofishing boats. For safety, anyone wading will be asked to exit the water when electrofishing boats approach.
Electrofishing usually begins at Croton Dam each day at 8 a.m. and proceeds downstream to the Pine Street Access Site. If more eggs are needed, additional collections may occur downstream to the Thornapple Avenue (High Rollway) Access Site.
The DNR plans to collect approximately 26 million walleye eggs from the Muskegon River this year. Some of the fry (fish that have just hatched) from these eggs will be directly placed in waters throughout the Lower Peninsula and some will be sent to rearing ponds. Walleye fry transferred to ponds will be raised to fingerling size (approximately 1.5 to 2.5 inches) and stocked in late spring or early summer in lakes and rivers throughout the state. A smaller number of fish will be reared through the summer months in select ponds and stocked as fall fingerlings (approximately 6 to 8 inches).
Lake Michigan and many inland lake walleye populations in the Lower Peninsula depend on the fingerlings produced from Muskegon River eggs. The number of spawning walleye in the Muskegon River has been estimated at 40,000 to 50,000 fish.
DNR crews will collect milt (sperm) and eggs from approximately 400 adult fish onsite this spring. These fish are immediately returned to the river — except for 60 fish, which will be collected for routine, annual health and disease surveillance testing at Michigan State University.
The Muskegon River has the largest run of walleye in the Lake Michigan watershed, south of Green Bay, and its adult walleye population is primarily stocked fish. These walleye contribute to populations in other areas, based on fish tags that are returned to the DNR by anglers. Walleye from the Muskegon River have been recaptured in Lake Macatawa, Spring Lake, Manistee Lake and Pigeon Lake, as well as the Grand, Kalamazoo, Pere Marquette and White rivers.
Learn more about how the DNR manages walleye at Michigan.gov/Walleye.
Outdoor Truths
By Gary Miller
Deer give us a great example of how patterns change according to one’s needs.
Right now, in many parts of the country, we are seeing a changing pattern. I always break these down into three periods: early spring through late summer, late summer through fall, and winter.
Let me explain. In the early spring through late summer, the land is full of all sorts of food. The deer do not have to travel far to get a variety of tasty foods. During these times, they are somewhat unpredictable because there is no particular place that is more special than another.
Late summer through the fall is much different. During this time, soft mast such as apples, pears, and other fruits begin to fall off the trees. And since deer love these, you can trust the fact they will show up with regularity. This also goes for their favorite nuts - acorns. This hard mast will show up on trees that are both out in the open and hidden deep in the woods. These will become a major source of nutrition, especially as the leaves and plants succumb to the upcoming frosts.
Lastly, there’s the winter months when a deer’s food sources will amount to what acorns are left and the grasses that are in open fields. Each of these periods will cause a deer’s normal pattern to be changed. And it’s all according to need.
Similarly, the needs of individuals change over time and as a result our patterns change. A great example is those couples who have been without children for the first few years of marriage and then decide to have children. Talk about changing patterns! I’ll guarantee whatever one was doing before children has significantly changed after the arrival of those little stinkers. The changing of needs has determined a change of what once was a normal pattern.
It is very important in our spiritual life to evaluate whether or not our needs are different to what they were, let’s say, than a few years ago. They actually should be. I would hope you and I have grown to the place that what once met our needs no longer does. I would hope we are continuing to grow in a way so that, on occasion, we look around and say, “I’m really tired of the same ol’ grass, and sure would like to chomp on a few tasty apples.”
But in order to enjoy the new crop of goodies God has for you, you are going to have to change the pattern you are in. I don’t know what it might be, but I can tell you this - if you find yourself waning in your spiritual life, it might be that God is trying to get you to realize you are not the person you used to be, and what was good for you then is not what you need now. It’s foolish to keep browsing on spiritual milk when God has other stuff for you now. But it’s up to you to move.
—————
Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 21 years. He has also written five books which include compilations of his articles and a father/son devotional. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men’s events for churches and associations. Write to him at gary@outdoortruths.org.
Deer give us a great example of how patterns change according to one’s needs.
Right now, in many parts of the country, we are seeing a changing pattern. I always break these down into three periods: early spring through late summer, late summer through fall, and winter.
Let me explain. In the early spring through late summer, the land is full of all sorts of food. The deer do not have to travel far to get a variety of tasty foods. During these times, they are somewhat unpredictable because there is no particular place that is more special than another.
Late summer through the fall is much different. During this time, soft mast such as apples, pears, and other fruits begin to fall off the trees. And since deer love these, you can trust the fact they will show up with regularity. This also goes for their favorite nuts - acorns. This hard mast will show up on trees that are both out in the open and hidden deep in the woods. These will become a major source of nutrition, especially as the leaves and plants succumb to the upcoming frosts.
Lastly, there’s the winter months when a deer’s food sources will amount to what acorns are left and the grasses that are in open fields. Each of these periods will cause a deer’s normal pattern to be changed. And it’s all according to need.
Similarly, the needs of individuals change over time and as a result our patterns change. A great example is those couples who have been without children for the first few years of marriage and then decide to have children. Talk about changing patterns! I’ll guarantee whatever one was doing before children has significantly changed after the arrival of those little stinkers. The changing of needs has determined a change of what once was a normal pattern.
It is very important in our spiritual life to evaluate whether or not our needs are different to what they were, let’s say, than a few years ago. They actually should be. I would hope you and I have grown to the place that what once met our needs no longer does. I would hope we are continuing to grow in a way so that, on occasion, we look around and say, “I’m really tired of the same ol’ grass, and sure would like to chomp on a few tasty apples.”
But in order to enjoy the new crop of goodies God has for you, you are going to have to change the pattern you are in. I don’t know what it might be, but I can tell you this - if you find yourself waning in your spiritual life, it might be that God is trying to get you to realize you are not the person you used to be, and what was good for you then is not what you need now. It’s foolish to keep browsing on spiritual milk when God has other stuff for you now. But it’s up to you to move.
—————
Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 21 years. He has also written five books which include compilations of his articles and a father/son devotional. He also speaks at wild-game dinners and men’s events for churches and associations. Write to him at gary@outdoortruths.org.
Prevent Rabbit Damage in Your Yard
Rabbits eat a wide range of plants, including flowers, vegetables, weeds, trees, and shrubs.
Photo courtesy of MelindaMyers.com
By Melinda Myers
Rabbits are year-round and frequent visitors to gardens and landscapes. As children, we read about and adored these furry critters. This love of rabbits often faded as we grew older and experienced damage to our gardens and landscapes. Employing various management strategies allows us to coexist with these cute yet voracious members of our community.
Rabbits eat a wide range of plants including flowers, vegetables, and weeds throughout the spring and summer. As these plants fade in fall, they begin dining on trees and shrubs. You may find bark gnawed, evergreen needles nibbled, and branches, stems and buds clipped off the plants.
Their sharp teeth make a clean cut much like a bypass pruner at a 45-degree angle. Rabbit damage usually occurs within three feet of the ground where they can easily reach and dine on the plants. Look for tracks and droppings, often called pellets, if additional clues are needed. The pellets are little, round, hard, and usually yellowy-brown to green.
Our landscapes provide the perfect habitat for rabbits. They tend to concentrate in open grassy areas that have patches of desirable cover like brush piles, shrubs, and gardens that provide an escape from predators.
These short-lived mammals tend to be very productive, giving birth to two to six litters of four or more babies in a season. Diseases, weather, predators, hunters, and cars help limit the number of surviving offspring.
Start by removing hiding places like brush piles, weed patches, and stone piles that provide places for rabbits to live and hide. Work with your neighbors who may not realize they are housing rabbits feeding in both of your yards. Leave a few weeds and perhaps some clover in the lawn as an alternate food source for them.
You will find lists of rabbit-resistant plants, but as gardeners know, rabbits will eat just about any plants when populations are high and food is scarce. Protecting key gardens and plants will help reduce the risk of damage and increase your enjoyment.
Fencing is an effective management strategy but may not be practical or aesthetically pleasing. When employing fencing, be sure it is high enough to keep rabbits out and the openings are one inch or less. A 3-foot-tall fence with an outward baffle at the top or one 4-foot tall is more effective. Secure the fence tight to the ground or bury the bottom few inches to prevent rabbits from crawling under. Check the gate, adding flaps and sweeps as needed to prevent rabbits from gaining access to the garden.
Use 4-foot-tall cylinders of hardware cloth around young trees and shrubs to prevent damage. Place the cylinder several inches away from the trunk and bury the bottom few inches in the soil to prevent rabbit and vole damage.
Repellents are a less-obtrusive option and more practical for many gardeners. Select a product labeled for rabbit control and preferably an organic option like Plantskydd (plantskydd.com). This odor-based repellent is rain and snow resistant so you will need to reapply less often. Whenever possible, apply repellents before the rabbits begin feeding and follow the label directions for the best results.
Evaluate and adapt your landscape design as needed and continually monitor for damage. Employ various strategies to help reduce rabbit damage while boosting your enjoyment and garden’s productivity.
—————
Melinda Myers has written over 20 gardening books, including Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video and DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Tree World Plant Care for her expertise in writing this article. Her website is www.MelindaMyers.com.
Rabbits are year-round and frequent visitors to gardens and landscapes. As children, we read about and adored these furry critters. This love of rabbits often faded as we grew older and experienced damage to our gardens and landscapes. Employing various management strategies allows us to coexist with these cute yet voracious members of our community.
Rabbits eat a wide range of plants including flowers, vegetables, and weeds throughout the spring and summer. As these plants fade in fall, they begin dining on trees and shrubs. You may find bark gnawed, evergreen needles nibbled, and branches, stems and buds clipped off the plants.
Their sharp teeth make a clean cut much like a bypass pruner at a 45-degree angle. Rabbit damage usually occurs within three feet of the ground where they can easily reach and dine on the plants. Look for tracks and droppings, often called pellets, if additional clues are needed. The pellets are little, round, hard, and usually yellowy-brown to green.
Our landscapes provide the perfect habitat for rabbits. They tend to concentrate in open grassy areas that have patches of desirable cover like brush piles, shrubs, and gardens that provide an escape from predators.
These short-lived mammals tend to be very productive, giving birth to two to six litters of four or more babies in a season. Diseases, weather, predators, hunters, and cars help limit the number of surviving offspring.
Start by removing hiding places like brush piles, weed patches, and stone piles that provide places for rabbits to live and hide. Work with your neighbors who may not realize they are housing rabbits feeding in both of your yards. Leave a few weeds and perhaps some clover in the lawn as an alternate food source for them.
You will find lists of rabbit-resistant plants, but as gardeners know, rabbits will eat just about any plants when populations are high and food is scarce. Protecting key gardens and plants will help reduce the risk of damage and increase your enjoyment.
Fencing is an effective management strategy but may not be practical or aesthetically pleasing. When employing fencing, be sure it is high enough to keep rabbits out and the openings are one inch or less. A 3-foot-tall fence with an outward baffle at the top or one 4-foot tall is more effective. Secure the fence tight to the ground or bury the bottom few inches to prevent rabbits from crawling under. Check the gate, adding flaps and sweeps as needed to prevent rabbits from gaining access to the garden.
Use 4-foot-tall cylinders of hardware cloth around young trees and shrubs to prevent damage. Place the cylinder several inches away from the trunk and bury the bottom few inches in the soil to prevent rabbit and vole damage.
Repellents are a less-obtrusive option and more practical for many gardeners. Select a product labeled for rabbit control and preferably an organic option like Plantskydd (plantskydd.com). This odor-based repellent is rain and snow resistant so you will need to reapply less often. Whenever possible, apply repellents before the rabbits begin feeding and follow the label directions for the best results.
Evaluate and adapt your landscape design as needed and continually monitor for damage. Employ various strategies to help reduce rabbit damage while boosting your enjoyment and garden’s productivity.
—————
Melinda Myers has written over 20 gardening books, including Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video and DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by Tree World Plant Care for her expertise in writing this article. Her website is www.MelindaMyers.com.
First Purple Martin of Spring Spotted in St. Johns
In a sure sign that spring is not far behind, the first Purple Martins of the year have been spotted in Michigan.
The birds were seen on March 13 in the city of Saint Johns by a Purple Martin enthusiast – one of many throughout the eastern and central United States who track and report on the birds’ annual migration on behalf of the Purple Martin Conservation Association. The migration of these unique birds can be reported and tracked through a community science project called the Scout-Arrival Study.
"The first Purple Martin arrivals of the season are always an exciting event,” said Joe Siegrist, president of the Purple Martin Conservation Association. “Tracking the migration is not only fun, it also provides us with valuable information that helps inform our research and strengthen our efforts to make sure we’re doing everything possible to sustain the population of these amazing birds.”
North America’s largest species of swallow, Purple Martins winter in the rainforests of Brazil before making up to a 7,000-mile migration north into the eastern United States and Canada.
The annual migration is a testament to the martins' resilience as well as the unwavering dedication of thousands of ‘martin landlords’ who maintain multi-compartment nest 'condos' that are essential for the birds' survival. Once widespread in rural America, this species, that eats billions of flying insects annually, has been disappearing at an alarming rate, experiencing a loss of one-third of its population over the last 50 years.
“The decline seems to be the combination of a few factors: nesting habitat loss, competing invasive species, decreasing prey availability, and climate change,” Siegrist said. “Over the majority of the Purple Martins’ range, they are unable to nest naturally any longer. Human-provided nest boxes are the only thing keeping the species alive east of the Rocky Mountains.”
Siegrist says the very survival of the species is due in large part to scores of dedicated conservationists who invest their time, money and hearts into maintaining housing for the martins.
To follow along with the Purple Martins’ migration and learn more about how you can help ensure the future of Purple Martins, visit purplemartin.org. In addition, people interested in learning more about how to attract and care for Purple Martins can receive a free booklet by contacting the Purple Martin Conservation Association by emailing info@purplemartin.org or calling (814) 833-7656.
The birds were seen on March 13 in the city of Saint Johns by a Purple Martin enthusiast – one of many throughout the eastern and central United States who track and report on the birds’ annual migration on behalf of the Purple Martin Conservation Association. The migration of these unique birds can be reported and tracked through a community science project called the Scout-Arrival Study.
"The first Purple Martin arrivals of the season are always an exciting event,” said Joe Siegrist, president of the Purple Martin Conservation Association. “Tracking the migration is not only fun, it also provides us with valuable information that helps inform our research and strengthen our efforts to make sure we’re doing everything possible to sustain the population of these amazing birds.”
North America’s largest species of swallow, Purple Martins winter in the rainforests of Brazil before making up to a 7,000-mile migration north into the eastern United States and Canada.
The annual migration is a testament to the martins' resilience as well as the unwavering dedication of thousands of ‘martin landlords’ who maintain multi-compartment nest 'condos' that are essential for the birds' survival. Once widespread in rural America, this species, that eats billions of flying insects annually, has been disappearing at an alarming rate, experiencing a loss of one-third of its population over the last 50 years.
“The decline seems to be the combination of a few factors: nesting habitat loss, competing invasive species, decreasing prey availability, and climate change,” Siegrist said. “Over the majority of the Purple Martins’ range, they are unable to nest naturally any longer. Human-provided nest boxes are the only thing keeping the species alive east of the Rocky Mountains.”
Siegrist says the very survival of the species is due in large part to scores of dedicated conservationists who invest their time, money and hearts into maintaining housing for the martins.
To follow along with the Purple Martins’ migration and learn more about how you can help ensure the future of Purple Martins, visit purplemartin.org. In addition, people interested in learning more about how to attract and care for Purple Martins can receive a free booklet by contacting the Purple Martin Conservation Association by emailing info@purplemartin.org or calling (814) 833-7656.
