PURPLE MARTIN “Home Coming Celebration” by Peter Karsten
The Purple Martin Preservation Project (PMPP) team is a subcommittee of the Wildlife Advisory Committee of DIRA. The PMPP is staging a family event to celebrate the return of the Purple Martins, the largest species of swallows, to Denman Island from their very long journey from their wintering grounds in Brazil.
The PMPP is partnered with WPC. WPC provides scientific and funding support to the PMPP.
This is a joyous and educational family event with exciting activities for children and adults of all ages.
The “Home Coming Celebration” will be held at the Covered Structure next to the Community Hall at 1:00 pm on Saturday May the 9th, 2026.
There is no admission but donations are appreciated. A bird house will be placed for donations. All proceeds are directed to the project.
The Event Plan and Schedule:
- Visitors arrive at the site to inaugurate the steel sculpture “Home Coming” specially created for the event.
- Visitors write their name and phone number on a ticket for a raffle of a door prize.
- A naturalist tells the story of saving the Purple Martins from extinction accompanied by a skit presented to the children who act out the story.
- There will be a model of a Purple Martin nest box with a carved mother bird, her nest and eggs for “hands-on” viewing.
- Young Denman artists will compose and present live music and songs about the Purple Martins. Visitors will participate in singing the refrain of the Purple Martin song. The lyrics are provided.
- Folks will dance around the sculpture to the music.
- Poems which are written by young artists about the birds will be presented.
- A large Purple Martin puzzle will be done by the children; parents are allowed to help.
- Wildlife Preservation Canada (WPC) will provide illustrated educational hand-outs of the Purple Martin story to take home.
- The event will be videoed for distribution across Canada by WPC
- We will have free Martin-shaped cookies and cold drinks.
- Artwork of nature will be displayed for a silent auction to generate funds for the Purple Martin Project.
- Students intend to paint the Purple Martin message on the Graffiti Wall.
- A walk to the Denman Community Dock will be offered by a naturalist to see the Martins at the end of the celebration at approximately 2:30 pm.
Please come and join us – rain or shine.
Pen and ink drawing of Purple Martins returning to Denman Island in April.
