The purple martins of Nimisila Reservoir

When the park district signed a 25-year management agreement for Nimisila Reservoir in Green, Ohio, we got more than just a body of water with abundant opportunities for recreation. Nimisila, which means “beautiful water” in an American Indian language, is home to approximately 173 species of birds.

Perhaps the most iconic of Nimisila’s birds is the purple martin. Residents of the Portage Lakes area take pride in helping the martins thrive while they’re here for the summer.

Here’s the scoop on purple martins:

Want to learn more? Call a Summit Metro Parks naturalist at 330–865–8065.