Bringing Back the Purple Martin

Purple Martins are the largest species of swallow in North America. In eastern North America, they nest almost entirely in human-constructed nesting cavities. Purple Martins are unique among cavity nesters; they nest colonially, or in large groups. Since 1970, the Purple Martin population has declined by approximately 38%, but recent conservation efforts are bringing the Purple Martin back to Pennsylvania. Over the course of this webinar, Will Krohn, a graduate student researcher at the University of Delaware, will discuss the identification and life history of Purple Martins, what is being done to help them, Will's own research, which seeks to inform their conservation, and what you can do to help these beloved backyard birds.

Note that for security reasons, the link will take up to 10 seconds to connect to Zoom.

Will Krohn is an M.S. student in Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, studying dispersal of Purple Martins for his thesis. Will received his B.A. from Colgate University in 2023, where he double-majored in Biology and Environmental Studies. Since graduating, Will has worked as a technician on numerous avian research and conservation projects around the country, and in 2025, Will started working toward his master’s degree at UD. Will is originally from Bucks County, PA, and he is an avid PA birder. In his free time, Will also enjoys rock climbing, hiking, and anything else that gets him out in nature.

This webinar is sponsored by the Valley Forge Audubon Society and by North Coventry Bird Town.