A bit of heaven in the heartland: Our visit to the Purple Martin Day
By Shawn Wyble
Submitted to Corner Post
My wife and I recently escaped the Florida heat and headed north to visit family in the good old St. Joseph area. While we were there, we had the great fortune to attend an event I’d read about right here in the Corner Post — the 20th annual Purple Martin Open House hosted by Mr. Ivan Miller in the local Amish community of Jamesport. It was a real treat!
The weather wasn't exactly what you'd call "picture perfect" that day. It sprinkled on and off, which probably kept some folks home. But for us, it was a blessing in disguise. It meant Mr. Miller had more time to share his wisdom, and that man has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to our feathered friends! There were even Purple Martin fans who have been to the Open House in past years coming again from near and far (as in from other states!) to visit Mr. Miller’s farm and talk martins with a man who knows his stuff.
Mr. Miller's farm is a sight to behold. He's got over a hundred fifty nesting areas for Purple Martins, and a few more for bluebirds, too. He's clearly got a special touch with these birds. He showed us how he gently lowers the gourds and houses so you can peer right inside. He even opened up a few to show us eggs and some tiny, thumb-sized chicks. It was remarkable to see how calm the adult birds were in his hand – they clearly trust him as much as he cares for them.
He explained that Purple Martins are entirely dependent on humans for places to roost. Unlike those rowdy sparrows and starlings that seem to make a home just about anywhere, martins are pickier, looking for specific setups and often come back to the same nesting area year after year. And speaking of starlings, Mr. Miller warned us about them. They're an invasive species, and they're not just home and barn invaders; they'll even kill baby bluebirds and martins. He's seen their nests built right on top of the little ones they've displaced. It's a tough world out there for a Purple Martin, and Mr. Miller and his family are doing their part to protect them, not just from starlings, but from raccoons and snakes, too.
He showed us the clever traps he uses for those invasive birds and some easy-to-make baffles that keep the raccoons and snakes from turning a birdhouse into a buffet. It's a constant battle, he emphasized, but a worthwhile one if you want to be a good landlord to these beautiful birds.
Our visit to the Millers’ farm was truly a highlight of our trip. It wasn’t just about the birds; it was about the dedication, the quiet wisdom, and the good, honest American pride that Mr. Miller and his family embody. My wife and I left feeling a deep appreciation for the hard work and love that goes into caring for these creatures and for the simple, fulfilling life that thrives in our country’s heartland.
A big thank you to Mr. Miller and his family, and to everyone who helped put on such a welcoming and educational event! If you’re around northwest Missouri on the first Saturday of June, do yourself a favor and make plans to attend the Annual Purple Martin Open House. You’ll be so glad you did.
