Program and Workshop Presenter: John Shemilt, South Fork Natural History Museum (SOFO) Purple Martin Steward
Join us for an exceptional opportunity to see just-hatched Purple Martin nestlings. In this program, John Shemilt—who is the SoFo Purple Martin Steward and has been fascinated by Purple Martins since the age of 3—you’ll go out into the field behind SOFO to see the colony of man-made gourds that house SOFO’s newest population of Purple Martins. You’ll help John lower the rack of gourds, then look into the nesting cavity and see the newly laid eggs and the just-hatched nestlings … and even get a chance to hold a nestling. After this rare experience, you can help John collect the data on this newest brood of Purple Martins.
Please note that, as mandated by the latest State Executive Order regarding COVID-19 safety precautions, our outdoor nature walks and programs are limited to a maximum of ten people which includes our staff. SOFO will at all times follow stringent six-feet distancing separation protocols required by the Department of Health for the safety of our participants and environmental educators. We will provide masks and gloves for all attendees.
Registration for this program, which is limited to 25 people, will open on June 16 at 10:00am for the first 25 people who contact us at info@sofo.org. Spots will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, and we will confirm your reservation by email.