Throughout the summer, volunteer martin house monitors for the Songbird Project helped fledge 448 Purple Martins at eight active nesting colonies in Johnson County. This was an increase from last year when 270 nestlings fledged at seven colonies.  Purple Martins are now aggregating at roosting sites in the upper Midwest in preparation for their migratory trip in Brazil. They’ll return to their North American nesting sites in early spring.  The Songbird Project is looking for more volunteers to help monitor martin colonies next year. Interested southeast Iowans can contact Jim Walters at 319-466-1134 to volunteer or to ask any questions.