Here at Jay we have maintained a Purple Martin colony on campus since 1997. This has proved to be a tremendously rewarding experience for all and has provided a basis for many lessons and science projects. Last year we started feeding images from a nest cam into our classrooms. It is our hope that other schools might consider hosting their own colony of these beautiful songbirds.

Links: (click on 'em)

Site history of our colony

School construction: surviving chaos

Surviving vandals, house sparrows and starlings

Recent JJSEA student science projects

Our Purple Martin nest cam

Photos: Nests, young, and banding

Also, please visit the following excellent web site:

The Purple Martin Conservation Association