Purple Martin Banding at Prairie Ridge Ecostation (2025-06-20)

Purple Martin Tagging (Banding) at Prairie Ridge Ecostation
Watch as Purple Martin nestlings are banded!
Friday, June 20, 2025, 8:30 to 11:30 am
Our "Purple Musketeer" team is planning to run the Purple Martin tagging (banding) sessions 3 times this month. We help to manage nesting colonies at Prairie Ridge Ecostation (1671 Gold Star Dr) , University Club of NCSU (4200 Hillsborough St) , and at Historic Yates Mill County Park (4620 Lake Wheeler Rd).

For each session, we lower the nest gourds, remove nestlings, attach a small, numbered aluminum tag, and return the nestlings to the same labeled gourd. Attendees are able to touch a nestling, take photos, and learn a lot about the life cycle of this charismatic bird. No pets allowed.

This is a rolling informational event, so you can drop in and stay for a while. No RSVP limit. No large groups signing up, please.

For the Prairie Ridge session: (1671 Gold Star Dr, Raleigh). Meet outside the outdoor classroom. To reach this is a simple walk. Park in the lot and make your way to the information kiosk (which is on your left soon after you enter the property). There is a wide dirt road that goes south from the kiosk. Follow this and you will walk right to the classroom. We will be on the right (west) side. You will see the nest gourd arrays there as well.
There are two bathrooms associated with the classroom, and a water fountain.
For additional assistance or questions, you may contact John Gerwin at: [birdnerdie@gmail.com](mailto:birdnerdie@gmail.com)
Please note that this is a weather-dependent event.