Forwarding for Dana Bollin, Naturalist at Maumee Bay State Park. 
Julie Shieldcastle, Black Swamp Bird Observatory
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Horray for Spring!  We are seeing the first "scout" purple martins hanging about and singing at the gourd racks in front of the Nature Center at the Maumee Bay Nature Center. Four adult males are apparent thsi morning.  The scouts generally arrive a week or two in advance of the sub-adults and females, and are generally staking out territory and singing to attract the first returning females.  Most landowners at this point rush to open the houses, but should wait until they see the first sub-adults or females, to discourage house sparrows or starlings from moving in before nesting season actually arrives.
Think Spring!  We need dragonflies!
Dana 
Dana Bollin, Naturalist Supervisor

Milton B. Trautman Nature Center
Maumee Bay State Park
1400 State Park Road
Oregon, OH 43618
(419) 836 - 9117

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