Purple Martin Forum

How is your season starting out?

My first scout was the latest since 2000 and I still have just 3 males and 1 female. 6 year average for the 10th of April is 10 with a range of 9 to 16.

I've got 3 fleglings that are coming home every night. They are not with any adult birds. I'm afraid they are going to miss the bus if they wait much longer. Should I close up the houses and force then to move on and hope they catch up with migration?

Everything else has been gone for 2+ weeks.

Those are all very valid points....my SREH will stay put.

Does anybody replace their SREH with standard doors after the starling nesting season?

Before they become a problem I wanted to ask you folks what you use to control black flies.? In the past I used an aerosol product called screen pruf with great success I might add, but I can not find it anymore. I simply plugged the entrance hole and sprayed the outside of the house. Last year was ...

Another big push of birds today.....I'm fillin' up fast now.

New arrivals the last 2 days 15-20, things are looking better. 80 degrees in central Iowa today.

I'll be watching intently this weekend, maybe 80 degrees will bring 'em in.

Usually by this time of year I have 65+ birds scrapping for nesting space, but so far about 36. Do you suppose the big push of ASY birds are still holding back or has the bulk of the old birds arrived in central Iowa.

I did have an SY-m show up yesterday.

Saturday, April 2 was a huge day for new scout reports. At last count there were almost 60 new reports. Good luck to all!!

More birds today, probably another 10-15. Things are looking better. They are adjusting well to the new owl guards.

I have had to rescue several from wing entrapment.

I had at least 15 newbies today....lots of noise and squabbles. It was nice to see at last. I've been sitting on 20-25 birds now for a week.

Any other news from Iowa?

Thanks fellas, my question was answered the minute my first female arrived. The two males immediately made it past the wire and now both males as well as the female are able to get in. Actually the female acted like she had seen this type of owl guard before. I'm off to make 9 more sets. I'm going h...

I need to equip my houses with owl guards this season and I was wondering if the martins adapt without any problems if I start the season with them attached. I made a couple out of a piece of 2" by 4" welded wire fencing. I made them so that the only point of attachment is at one spot on t...

I really don't remember hearing anything, but this guy is about the size of a hen pheasant.

Got this pic the other night...kinda thought I had an owl problem. Any ideas on what kind? TIA.

The first 70 degree day paid big dividends with a big push of ASY birds. Lots of noise and activity today all the way to dusk. I had at least 10 newbies today, this push should continue for the next 7-10 days. I have yet to see any barn swallows....I usually associate their movement with the peak of...

This is the latest fledge date ever for me. I actually had another nest fledge the middle of last week. Kinda nice having a few extra weeks.

All others have been gone at least 3 weeks.

Things got pretty noisy about sunset.

They are adapting to the conditions.....my birds are acting like barn swallows, flying low and hoping to startle some bugs into flying.

I did notice this same behavior last year also.