Purple Martin Forum

48 of my gourds are troyer horizontal gourds and the rest of the gourds at a mix of the huge super goirds and the smaller S&K Bo9s then I have two S&K barn houses that are modified for bigger rooms

Place a couple PM decoys on top of the housing it has two purposes to attract PM and to help with hawk or owl attacks. Smear mud on the entrances of both the goirds and the house to make it look a little lived in. Pine needles are a must as well. But in my the most valuable asset to a new landlord i...

I love birds of prey with a passion but I hate them when it come time for the young martins to fledge. Watching them and knowing you’re fighting a losing battle. I know I average between 350 and 400 fledgelings a year and I’m doing far more good then the hawks are downing bad. But it sucks when you ...

I’m noticing a lot of the Martins are only hatching 2 to 3 babies this year usually they average around five. I’ve seen as high as nine and one nest. But this is the first year I’ve ever seen a nest with only two babies. Could these just be young Byrds that have never shown before? JHCox Heiskell TN

Finally, seeing some subadult males today much louder today much more fighting today. Good to have them back finally

I have had adult bird since February 28. I would’ve thought the subadult Byrds would have been here by now usually they’re 6 to 8 weeks behind adults. So far Tennessee is only reporting six subadults.

There are several types of ground traps that you can purchase that work well. You should be able to find them on amazon.. good luck

I have 50 to 60 Adults as of now. But I've noticed that this time last year probably had closer to 100 in the start of April. Seems like they are slow coming in this year. And should be only a couple more weeks before the sub-adults start moving into the area. i hope it picks up soon. JHCox Heiskell...

You can also put small compact mirrors in accouple of the cavities. So when they investigate a cavity they see a martin already in there and they will feel that its an established colony. That along with the Dawn song and daytime chatter and the decoys should increase your chances. Also smearing mud...

Yes I have a bad hawk problem. I found bolt rockets work great. If you see them perched near by send one inTheir direction it usually sends them running. I have lost several Martin over the last couple of years. It usually the fledglings that they get that leave the nest just a little to so. They en...

As far as your bluebird boxes, I would use the VanErt traps in them. They work great. They’re easy to set up and you can get a lot of house sparrows with them. The only downside to them is you need to be home to watch them just in case a bluebird or tree swallow gets in you can release them. Usually...

I would leave them up odds are that’s why the Martins even showed up because they saw what they think that Martins are already using the housing.

I agree with MJM i have two of the song bird magnets and they work great. I put one under the eve of one of my dormers closet to the martin housing in the front of the house. I also have one in the attic of an S&K barn style house in the middle of the martin houses in the back yard and it works ...

Yeah, I believe that’s the case that it’s just younger Byrds therefore just a little bit skinnier and able to get down a little lower to sneak in, but I’ll catch him and get rid of them just some I don’t have to deal with later on

Over the last couple of years, I’ve noticed starlings being able to breach the Crescent entrances on just my Troyer horizontal boards. This year seems like more and more are being able to make it in to the Troyers.. All my other gourds have the same size crescent, but they’re on Bo9s and super gourd...

Thank you Dave. Looks like they’ll be up your way here. Pretty soon. Little purple dots in northern Kentucky already.

Thanks you guys it’s seem like forever from when they leave In the fall until they return in spring. It’s almost deafeningly quiet all went long they you come February or early march you hear that distinct sound of the male purple Martin and then you wrench your neck spinner around around in your ya...

You too Brent.

As far as playing the Dawn song, that’s up to you whatever your preferences. I have two purple Martin magnet machines at Play the Dawn song and chatter. I played every spring early in the morning midday and evening and I’ve had a well established colony at least eight years now not including the fir...

February 28 one day earlier than last year. Got off shifts at the fire hall came home 830 saw one male flying over head and now at 11 AM. I have three adult males landing on multiple racks, singing and calling. Good to see them back love to hear they’re singing. I figured it couldn’t be much longer....