Purple Martin Forum

One pair of martins decided to have a late or second brood this year. The nestlings were just old enough to start coming to the entrance to be fed last Tuesday. Will these nestlings have time to gain enough strength for the migration? Their parents are feeding them faithfully and several martins ret...

The recommendation for distance between the bottom of the crescent and the porch is 1/8" max, it looks like yours are about 3/8". This may give the long-legged starlings a better chance on breaching the entrance. -- John

A major factor in establishing a new site is availability of housing at established sites in the area. If there is plenty of established housing available martins are much less likely to move to a new site, no matter how attractive it may be. -- John

I have a clutch of 5 with a runt and a monster "Bay Huey". But my runt has caught up nicely as well.

Are you sure "Baby Huey" isn't a cowbird? -- John

After fledging is well in progress or complete the martins congregate around the colony, perching on whatever they can find as the twilight darkness increases. A lot of landlords never see this because they're busy with things inside. If you can remember to look you'll be amazed at the number that a...

I think they're just showing off, doing it "because they can". -- John

Sorry, duplicate.

If you add the vent cap ($1 ea as I remember) it covers the holes in the gourd itself. I've never checked it, but I don't see how rain could enter the gourd. Water that enters the gap between the hole in the cap and the rod will drain down through the gap between the cap and the gourd onto the outsi...

Tree swallow nests usually contain one or more feathers. They are a native species, I'm not sure if you're allowed to remove nests, especially if they contain eggs. -- John

You can drop the top section down into the second section, part or all the way (I use a hose clamp as a stop). That makes the tri-tel both more stable and less likely to bend in a severe wind. I set mine to just below the bottom of the gourd rack and the martins don't mind the lower level at all. Th...

Martins are like people - every one that is born (hatched) is going to die unless Jesus returns first. I'm amazed that we don't find more dead birds at our colonies. Maybe most of the marginally fit perish during the migrations. -- John

Annie, get your gun! -- John

In selecting the placement, in addition to other factors, pick a spot where you can easily watch them. If you have a porch or deck where you regularly enjoy the outdoors put the housing close enough that you can see the show. -- John

I'm afraid dowels would give the starlings enough leg room to be more able to breach the crescent entries, the height of the porch is very important. -- John

I love watching and listening to the martins during their stay in KY. My gourds are about 30 - 40 ft from our porch swing and I sit there most mornings reading the paper and watching the martins go about their business. -- John

Yesterday morning we were up early, 5:30 am, and there were two beautiful male ASY martins sitting on our gourd racks. It was chilly, and their feathers were puffed up. They were not singing. This morning one has been back and was chortling his heart out. The fun begins! -- John

Are martins messy and having them within 5 to 10 feet of the driveway a no-no? They're birds, they poop on the fly and while sitting whenever and wherever they choose. They will develop preferred fly-ways and leave "presents" along them. Some folks with large colonies wear hard hats. -- J...

Patience isn't my strong suit either. Our gourds are up and waiting, but I think it's better if they wait until the weather warms up more and stabilizes. -- John

Assuming last year was your first time to host martins, they were probably SY birds. From my experience the second year to nest they don't hurry back, so don't give up hope. They will come back a little earlier each year for several years, then stabilize their return time. -- John

I enjoy watching the starlings struggle in vain to enter our crescents. Their long legs just get in the way too much. -- John