Whether you have a question, suggestion, or to donate to our organization to assist us in preserving and restoring the Purple Martin population in Wisconsin, click Directors Contact Information below to contact the appropriate person.
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Les Rhines - President
Greg Zimmermann - Vice President Deb Zimmermann - Treasurer Joe Francis III - Board Member |
Ike Kumrow - Board Member
Bob Ring - Board Member Larry Lienau - Board Member Dick Nikolai - Board Member |
Les Rhines - President
Currently, I serve as a board member for the Wisconsin Purple Martin Association and I would consider my current status as a Martin landlord as a “wanna be”. However, I have had two colonies in the past. At my most recent colony located in Cleveland, WI, I maintained two 8 compartment Northstar houses and I had a total of 16 pairs of birds when my wife Mary and I sold the property in 2006. The current owners are active landlords and still maintain the two Northstars and average 14 pair of birds each year. My first colony was located on the south side of Sheboygan, it was the mid 1970’s and getting birds was not a problem, in fact it was easy, the problem was, I had no idea what I was doing. I just put up a house and they came.
Oh how things have changed, it took me six years to get birds in Cleveland, and I had two active colonies within 2 miles of my house. When we sold the Cleveland property and moved back to Sheboygan I thought it would not take long to attract birds, however, here is where I learned the lesson about how important it is to have the proper location for these birds. In six years I could not get my colony started.
In late 2012 we moved to Plymouth to a location that will allow me to start a Martin colony, my base setup for this year will be one 8 compartment Northstar and one rack of wood bungalows (wood gourds). I hope to build another 12 compartment Northstar this summer if time permits.
Currently, I serve as a board member for the Wisconsin Purple Martin Association and I would consider my current status as a Martin landlord as a “wanna be”. However, I have had two colonies in the past. At my most recent colony located in Cleveland, WI, I maintained two 8 compartment Northstar houses and I had a total of 16 pairs of birds when my wife Mary and I sold the property in 2006. The current owners are active landlords and still maintain the two Northstars and average 14 pair of birds each year. My first colony was located on the south side of Sheboygan, it was the mid 1970’s and getting birds was not a problem, in fact it was easy, the problem was, I had no idea what I was doing. I just put up a house and they came.
Oh how things have changed, it took me six years to get birds in Cleveland, and I had two active colonies within 2 miles of my house. When we sold the Cleveland property and moved back to Sheboygan I thought it would not take long to attract birds, however, here is where I learned the lesson about how important it is to have the proper location for these birds. In six years I could not get my colony started.
In late 2012 we moved to Plymouth to a location that will allow me to start a Martin colony, my base setup for this year will be one 8 compartment Northstar and one rack of wood bungalows (wood gourds). I hope to build another 12 compartment Northstar this summer if time permits.
Greg Zimmermann - Vice President
I am currently Vice President of the WPMA, I got interested in martins at the age of 10, when my Uncle set up 2 martin houses back in the 70’s. At that time getting a colony was somewhat easy to do; we had not yet had the influx of the European Staring. Soon after, my father had a house put up, and I would help clean and put up the house. As I entered my teen years, I built my own house as a project for industrial arts class. I had that house for 15 years and always managed a colony. During the 90’s the starling population had taken its toll, and I was losing my colony, by 2004 I had moved to my current location and built a T-14 with starling resistant holes. Soon my colony grew and by the year 2010 I built a North Star house and my colony doubled to its current size. I met fellow martineer Tom Rank about that time, and as we became friends, we decided to form a local group. By 2012 we had successfully launched the EWPMA along with Nicki Schumacher, Les Rhines, Ike Krumrow and Joe Francis. Our mission is to help others become successful landlords.
I am currently Vice President of the WPMA, I got interested in martins at the age of 10, when my Uncle set up 2 martin houses back in the 70’s. At that time getting a colony was somewhat easy to do; we had not yet had the influx of the European Staring. Soon after, my father had a house put up, and I would help clean and put up the house. As I entered my teen years, I built my own house as a project for industrial arts class. I had that house for 15 years and always managed a colony. During the 90’s the starling population had taken its toll, and I was losing my colony, by 2004 I had moved to my current location and built a T-14 with starling resistant holes. Soon my colony grew and by the year 2010 I built a North Star house and my colony doubled to its current size. I met fellow martineer Tom Rank about that time, and as we became friends, we decided to form a local group. By 2012 we had successfully launched the EWPMA along with Nicki Schumacher, Les Rhines, Ike Krumrow and Joe Francis. Our mission is to help others become successful landlords.
Joe Francis III - Treasurer
Back in the 70’s, I lived in Sheboygan. A friend from work who was always building something in his workshop asked if I’d like a Purple Martin house he’d built. Sure I said, not knowing anything about PMs. Little did I know it was a 5 unit apt. house. Bought a 15’ steel pole and some assorted attachments, and placed it on a pivot bracket so I could raise and lower it. Next day I see and identify a PM sitting on the house. Wow, that was easy. Never saw one there again!
As time passes, I am still interested in this bird. My job, (phone reprmn for Wis Tel.) required lots of windshield time. Every summer whenever I’d drive thru Our Town, (NW corner of CT”N” and HY 32S) I’d see PMs on those 2 houses. Gosh I wished to have something like that someday.
In ’97’, I moved 5 miles south of Falls to a 2 acre partially wooded lot. In ‘99’ I bought an aluminum “trio” house from the PMCA. From then thru “03” I had one pair of birds every other year. In ‘03’ I talked to a rep of the Sheb Cty Aud Soc about my interest in PMs. In turn she gave me Greg Zimmermann’s name (our VP), and so a connection was made that now has evolved into meeting our president, Tom Rank and, so many other PM enthusiasts. Never thought I’d be as fired up as I am, but this hobby is just what I needed in my retirement years. These birds have gotten into my head, my hopes and dreams. I’ve always said I learn something new everyday, and I do. Come on spring!
Back in the 70’s, I lived in Sheboygan. A friend from work who was always building something in his workshop asked if I’d like a Purple Martin house he’d built. Sure I said, not knowing anything about PMs. Little did I know it was a 5 unit apt. house. Bought a 15’ steel pole and some assorted attachments, and placed it on a pivot bracket so I could raise and lower it. Next day I see and identify a PM sitting on the house. Wow, that was easy. Never saw one there again!
As time passes, I am still interested in this bird. My job, (phone reprmn for Wis Tel.) required lots of windshield time. Every summer whenever I’d drive thru Our Town, (NW corner of CT”N” and HY 32S) I’d see PMs on those 2 houses. Gosh I wished to have something like that someday.
In ’97’, I moved 5 miles south of Falls to a 2 acre partially wooded lot. In ‘99’ I bought an aluminum “trio” house from the PMCA. From then thru “03” I had one pair of birds every other year. In ‘03’ I talked to a rep of the Sheb Cty Aud Soc about my interest in PMs. In turn she gave me Greg Zimmermann’s name (our VP), and so a connection was made that now has evolved into meeting our president, Tom Rank and, so many other PM enthusiasts. Never thought I’d be as fired up as I am, but this hobby is just what I needed in my retirement years. These birds have gotten into my head, my hopes and dreams. I’ve always said I learn something new everyday, and I do. Come on spring!
Ike Kumrow - Board Member
My Dad had a dairy farm in Town of Sherman, Sheboygan Co. and he was having Martins during the 21 years I lived at home. In 1960 we built our home and with redwood left over, I built an 8 compartment house put it up and next morning a few martins were sitting on the house and then for 46 consecutive years I always had 10 – 15 pair. For some unknown reason I lost the colony. Then for the next 4 years I would see a scout and he could not attract a female and left.
In July 2010 on the front page of the Sheboygan Press was a heading - Sheboygan Falls man hobby is” FOR THE BIRDS” an article about all the Martins that Tom Rank had at his property. I contacted Tom and explained my problem being unsuccessful in attracting martins. Tom came over and suggested I remove the tall 40 foot spruce tree which was too close to the martin house. In fact the top 8 feet was only good, so down went the tree. I built a 6 family cedar suite, built an 8 family north star, hung 4 gourds on, and in 2011 I had 4 pair, in August there were 18 martins sitting on the North Star. In 2012 I built a T-14, then I had 15 pair and for 2013 I built a 12 family North Star, which makes 36 compartments all together. If you built it, the martins will come.
My Dad had a dairy farm in Town of Sherman, Sheboygan Co. and he was having Martins during the 21 years I lived at home. In 1960 we built our home and with redwood left over, I built an 8 compartment house put it up and next morning a few martins were sitting on the house and then for 46 consecutive years I always had 10 – 15 pair. For some unknown reason I lost the colony. Then for the next 4 years I would see a scout and he could not attract a female and left.
In July 2010 on the front page of the Sheboygan Press was a heading - Sheboygan Falls man hobby is” FOR THE BIRDS” an article about all the Martins that Tom Rank had at his property. I contacted Tom and explained my problem being unsuccessful in attracting martins. Tom came over and suggested I remove the tall 40 foot spruce tree which was too close to the martin house. In fact the top 8 feet was only good, so down went the tree. I built a 6 family cedar suite, built an 8 family north star, hung 4 gourds on, and in 2011 I had 4 pair, in August there were 18 martins sitting on the North Star. In 2012 I built a T-14, then I had 15 pair and for 2013 I built a 12 family North Star, which makes 36 compartments all together. If you built it, the martins will come.
Bob Ring - Board Member
When I grew up in the 70's, my parents had an active martin colony in the backyard. My dad had me assist him each spring and fall when we would attach the house to the pole and tilt it up in the air. After 1981, we lost our martins, never to have them return again. In 1990, my thoughts kept drifting back to the colony and was concerned that we never were able to get it restablished. In 1993 after I received my degree, I finally decided to fill that void in my life. I contacted High Cliff State Park (along the NE shore of Lake Winnebago) and inquired if it would be possible to establish a martin colony at the park. They gave me the green light and I built a T-14, which was a brand new, promising housing style. I erected it in 1994 and had 2 pairs of martins nest. I also became good friend with a man named Elmer Krushinske, who ironically, had a colony of 150+ pairs on property very close to my colony. My colony grew to over 50 pairs, as I added natural gourds, and wooden gourds. In recent years, I've managed a colony at the office of High Cliff State Park, and Elmer's colony when his health became poor. I also have the honor of assisting a federally licensed bird bander whose focus is on purple martins.
When I grew up in the 70's, my parents had an active martin colony in the backyard. My dad had me assist him each spring and fall when we would attach the house to the pole and tilt it up in the air. After 1981, we lost our martins, never to have them return again. In 1990, my thoughts kept drifting back to the colony and was concerned that we never were able to get it restablished. In 1993 after I received my degree, I finally decided to fill that void in my life. I contacted High Cliff State Park (along the NE shore of Lake Winnebago) and inquired if it would be possible to establish a martin colony at the park. They gave me the green light and I built a T-14, which was a brand new, promising housing style. I erected it in 1994 and had 2 pairs of martins nest. I also became good friend with a man named Elmer Krushinske, who ironically, had a colony of 150+ pairs on property very close to my colony. My colony grew to over 50 pairs, as I added natural gourds, and wooden gourds. In recent years, I've managed a colony at the office of High Cliff State Park, and Elmer's colony when his health became poor. I also have the honor of assisting a federally licensed bird bander whose focus is on purple martins.
Larry Lienau - Board Member
I've been a Purple Martin landlord for over forty years. This past year I had the largest colony so far, about 25 pairs. Included in my colony are four Martin houses and seven gourds; providing rooms for 52 pairs.
I've been a Purple Martin landlord for over forty years. This past year I had the largest colony so far, about 25 pairs. Included in my colony are four Martin houses and seven gourds; providing rooms for 52 pairs.
Dick Nikolai - Board Member
My experiences started when I was 2-5 years of age. My grandfather had a colony and I greatly enjoyed seeing and hearing them. When I was older I mowed lawn for people who had them in their yards. In college I started to band waterfowl from 1970-1973. After graduation I wanted to get a subpermit for banding purple martins and finally found a former classmate to sponsor me. Officially in 1982 I became a subpermittee and in 1988 attained my Master Permittee designation (specifics were for studying purple martins). During 1982-85, the springs in the Fox River Valley were late and very cold so my project for purple martins was placed on hold for the most part. I had lined up many martin colonies to band but all ended up being lost.
My girlfriend (and later my wife) whom I visited in Greendale, and later her parents, had a neighbor who I became friends with in 1973 until his death in early 1994 had martins. That is where I started to band martins in 1985 and later in 1993 in the Fox River Valley when I convinced another friend to allow me to band some of his 250 pairs of martins and their young. Have been doing that ever since. In the 1990’s began to give talks statewide. Since that time period I became the state expert for purple martins until my retirement. When the first Bird Atlas project came about, I provided info for it to be included for eventually the book. Since that time I have banded over 12,000 birds, 10,000 purple martins and have recaptured over 2000 martins that either I have banded or a few of others. Most notable martins recaptured have come from St Thomas, Ontario and Elmira, Ontario. Farthermost bird someone reported of my bands was in Ligonier, Indiana. Note that I have banded over 25,000 birds for both the WDNR and for myself under two separate banding permits.
Bird banding study was to compare urban versus rural martin colonies from eggs laid to fledging young to compartment sizes, types of housing, longevity, site fidelity, pair fidelity, and age of pairs. It has expanded to looking at weights, size of birds, interchange of housing, and many more aspects. Data now has all been placed onto spreadsheets and is being analyzed when there is free time to give perspective on purple martins in Wisconsin. In my retirement I am still banding martins as the mainstay and other birds when there is opportunity.
My experiences started when I was 2-5 years of age. My grandfather had a colony and I greatly enjoyed seeing and hearing them. When I was older I mowed lawn for people who had them in their yards. In college I started to band waterfowl from 1970-1973. After graduation I wanted to get a subpermit for banding purple martins and finally found a former classmate to sponsor me. Officially in 1982 I became a subpermittee and in 1988 attained my Master Permittee designation (specifics were for studying purple martins). During 1982-85, the springs in the Fox River Valley were late and very cold so my project for purple martins was placed on hold for the most part. I had lined up many martin colonies to band but all ended up being lost.
My girlfriend (and later my wife) whom I visited in Greendale, and later her parents, had a neighbor who I became friends with in 1973 until his death in early 1994 had martins. That is where I started to band martins in 1985 and later in 1993 in the Fox River Valley when I convinced another friend to allow me to band some of his 250 pairs of martins and their young. Have been doing that ever since. In the 1990’s began to give talks statewide. Since that time period I became the state expert for purple martins until my retirement. When the first Bird Atlas project came about, I provided info for it to be included for eventually the book. Since that time I have banded over 12,000 birds, 10,000 purple martins and have recaptured over 2000 martins that either I have banded or a few of others. Most notable martins recaptured have come from St Thomas, Ontario and Elmira, Ontario. Farthermost bird someone reported of my bands was in Ligonier, Indiana. Note that I have banded over 25,000 birds for both the WDNR and for myself under two separate banding permits.
Bird banding study was to compare urban versus rural martin colonies from eggs laid to fledging young to compartment sizes, types of housing, longevity, site fidelity, pair fidelity, and age of pairs. It has expanded to looking at weights, size of birds, interchange of housing, and many more aspects. Data now has all been placed onto spreadsheets and is being analyzed when there is free time to give perspective on purple martins in Wisconsin. In my retirement I am still banding martins as the mainstay and other birds when there is opportunity.
Tom Rank - Founder
My interest in Purple Martins came later in life, it wasn't until after my wife and I moved from the city and out into the country that I discovered a newfound appreciation for birds.
At first my interest in Purple Martins was casual at best, but over time, I developed a driving compulsion to start a colony. I'm thankful now that I had that inner drive to keep me going because it took me seven years before I was able to finally get a colony started. In 2007 I was fortunate enough to attract 5 pairs of SY's, these martins were the foundation of my colony which has since grown to 72 breeding pairs in 2012.
During the early years when I was struggling to start a colony, it would have been very easy for me to give up, I am so thankful now that I stuck with it. Now, when I'm home enjoying the Purple Martins I can honestly say that there's not a day that passes that I don't appreciate their presence.
Up until now purple martin landlords in Wisconsin had very little support for their hobby. They could search the internet as one source of support or quite possibly they would share stories with a neighbor down the road that had martins.
In February of 2012 that all changed, a group of area purple martin enthusiasts and myself organized and formed the "Wisconsin Purple Martin Association" (WPMA). Our mission, is to restore and preserve a declining purple martin population in Wisconsin and unite landlords across the state.
East of the Rockies, the Purple Martin is totally dependent on man-made housing. That's why it's so important to provide the best housing and management practices you can provide. "Their future really does depend on what we do today!"
My interest in Purple Martins came later in life, it wasn't until after my wife and I moved from the city and out into the country that I discovered a newfound appreciation for birds.
At first my interest in Purple Martins was casual at best, but over time, I developed a driving compulsion to start a colony. I'm thankful now that I had that inner drive to keep me going because it took me seven years before I was able to finally get a colony started. In 2007 I was fortunate enough to attract 5 pairs of SY's, these martins were the foundation of my colony which has since grown to 72 breeding pairs in 2012.
During the early years when I was struggling to start a colony, it would have been very easy for me to give up, I am so thankful now that I stuck with it. Now, when I'm home enjoying the Purple Martins I can honestly say that there's not a day that passes that I don't appreciate their presence.
Up until now purple martin landlords in Wisconsin had very little support for their hobby. They could search the internet as one source of support or quite possibly they would share stories with a neighbor down the road that had martins.
In February of 2012 that all changed, a group of area purple martin enthusiasts and myself organized and formed the "Wisconsin Purple Martin Association" (WPMA). Our mission, is to restore and preserve a declining purple martin population in Wisconsin and unite landlords across the state.
East of the Rockies, the Purple Martin is totally dependent on man-made housing. That's why it's so important to provide the best housing and management practices you can provide. "Their future really does depend on what we do today!"
We are all very saddened by the unexpected loss of our dear friend, mentor, and Purple Martin enthusiast, Tom Rank. His legacy of work and dedication to Purple Martin awareness will continue through many generations and years. Words cannot express how much we will miss him.
http://www.wenigfuneralhome.com/book-of-memories/2913992/Rank-Thomas/obituary.php
http://www.wenigfuneralhome.com/book-of-memories/2913992/Rank-Thomas/obituary.php
