Purple Martins increasing numbers

By Lori Larsen

Camrose Greenspace and Wildlife Stewardship (CGWS) coordinator, Rhyleigh Henault is happy to report the purple martin population was up this year over last year.

As part of her summer position as the CGWS coordinator, Henault is responsible for purple martin conservation including tracking the birds on their annual summer trek to Camrose for breeding and nesting.

“In 2003, the Camrose Wildlife Stewardship Society (CWSS) named Purple Martins (Progne subis) as their flagship species,” explained Henault. “As part of the swallow family, these birds are aerial insectivores that are undergoing a sharp decline in population.”

Henault further explained that purple martins nest exclusively in human-provided housing, so tending their nests can have a huge impact on their success.

“It also gives people a chance to closely interact with these charismatic birds and increase interest in them around the city.”

In an effort to ensure the success for continued incline of purple martins, the CWSS has put up 26 houses on public greenspace, with many more put up privately. The houses are maintained and cared for by purple martin landlords who receive training from CWSS with the assistance of the CGWS coordinator.

Aside from helping with landlord training and maintaining the purple martin houses located on city property, Henault also conducted surveys on the purple martin population within the City of Camrose, something the CGWS has been responsible for since 2003.

“This survey includes city owned and private Purple Martin houses,” said Henault. “It helps the CWSS identify how well the purple martin house program is progressing for the conservation of this species.

“In 2003 we started with eight pairs of purple martins (16 martins in total); over the years the population has increased and decreased due to many different uncontrollable factors.”

Henault reported that the highest number of purple martin pairs was in 2009 with 173 pairs (346 total).

“In 2022 we had 133 pairs for a total of 266 purple martins in the city. This is up from 124 pairs in 2021. Our increasing trend in numbers indicates how our landlords’ efforts are making a real change.”

For anyone interested in becoming a purple martin landlord, Henault said there are city purple martin houses that still need landlords.

“Being a landlord is a once a week commitment and you get rewarding experiences like watching the purple martin nestlings grow up and being an important part of conserving a species.

If you are interested in being a landlord or would like more information on the landlord program, contact wildlifestewardship@ camrose.ca or 780-6720544.

“We are looking forward to having our annual Purple Martin Festival again in June 2023,” said Henault. “This festival gives wildlife enthusiasts an opportunity to learn about purple martins and other topics regarding bird conservation. There are workshops about caring for and attracting purple martins, and keynote speakers who specialize in bird research. There are even children’s events and activities.”

For more information about this event, visit the Purple Martin Festival Facebook page or from May to August contact the Camrose Wildlife Stewardship Society at wildlifestewardship@camrose.ca or 780-672-0544.

Investigating nature

Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster

City of Camrose Greenspace and Wildlife Stewardship coordinator, Rhyleigh Henault helps Discovery Kids summer camp participant, six-yearold Cassy Letley get ready to dissect an owl pellet during a fun and educational summer camp session hosted by the City of Camrose summer program held at Stoney Creek Centre on July 14.

Lori Larsen, Camrose Booster

Above photo: City of Camrose Greenspace and Wildlife Stewardship coordinator Rhyleigh Henault checks one of the purple martin nesting boxes located at the Stoney Creek Centre. The nests are checked regularly to ensure there are no parasites. Photo to right: A fresh brood of baby purple martins, Henault estimated to be six to 12 days old were just starting to open their eyes.

Presentation on Camrose water sources

By Lori Larsen

In an effort to increase awareness on the importance of maintaining and conserving our water resources, the Camrose Wildlife Stewardship Society and the City of Camrose presents a session on Thursday, July 21 conducted by Battle River Watershed Alliance about Camrose’s water sources.

The event will take place at the Stoney Creek Centre ( 5320-39 Avenue) beginning at 7 p.m.

The presentation will provide information on where Camrose’s water comes from and where it goes, as well as the role everyone plays in conserving our most valuable commodity.

Refreshments will be provided and there will be prize draws for a chance to win gift cards from local businesses at the CWSS events.

For more information on the summer events offered from now until August 4, email wildlifestewardship@camrose.ca.