Purple Martin Forum

Jan,
I agree with John. Of the PMCA's Excluder Gourd lineup, the Excluder II entrance is going to be the most difficult for the martins to learn.

Of the three gourds in the lineup, the Modified Excluder entrance gourd is the probably the easiest for the martins to learn.

Great question Craig! From the things I've read about, seen, and heard from others over the years, here's my take on it. I personally do not think that supplemental feeding entices the martins to come back earlier. Their early, sometimes too early, arrival instinct takes over regardless of the poten...

It could be a guest ID band from one of the Brazilian resorts!

Definitely not a fluke!

Great photo! Your Trio Castle looks like a great setup.

Id thought I'd throw this in too

I thought the capital might be Seguin, TX

Great report Steve!
Looks like conditions are finally getting better.

Ken,
Sorry for the delayed respsonse. You should be able to puchase the safety lanyard lock for your Trio Grandpa/Grandma house.

I'm sending you a private message with some more info.

Matt

Congrats Laverne!!!! Looks like your 06 season has started!

Adam,
That is one great looking setup!

Louise,
Given that the Excluder Trio doors are made by another manufacturer, is urging that supplier to make WDC excluder doors, something that you and the other great folks at the PMCA could possibly push for?
I'm sure that would be hot item at Martin Marketplace.

Tom, I'm running a Nature House MPQ pole. This pole has the quick release clamps and is very easy to raise and lower - no cumbersome pins or bolts to deal with. The clamps allow adjusting the pole to any height. Also, the bottom clamp comes ready to accept a padlock, if you wish to lock your pole. T...

gwarnerjr, The Trio Musselman or M-12K, is probably one of the easiest to convert to front to back compartments. All you have to do is remove the center dividers. It does not have the obstacle of the pole running through the center of the house as the Trio Wade or the Trio Grandpa (MSS-12) does. I'm...

John,
That is a magnificant birdhouse! You defenitely have a talent.

I agree with Lanell, if you decide to get familiar with purple martins and their housing standards, I'd bet you'd build some blue ribbon martin houses!

Barb,
I hope you don't mind me answering.......
It appears to be a Lonestar San Jacinto model house.

I'm loving these scout reports!
GOOOOOO Florida!!!!!!!!!!!

Ya'll aren't kidding! These early reports from Florida are really exciting! Our little martins are on their way! http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/e2woo.gif I'm definitely going to try to make it to the GHPMA meeting coming up. It'll be neat to meet some of the "gang", and...

Another benefit to using mirrors that I've read about, is that the more shiny and reflective surfaces you have in and around the nesting cavity, the less starlings like it.

Louise, Here are some questions I hear from beginning landlords, and those insterested in becoming landlords: - Does the house have to be far away from any trees? - How high does the house need to be? - Can forgetting to clean the house out during the winter, cause them not to return? - Can't martin...

Kelly, Your Grandpa model house is definitely not too old to convert the existing 12 - 6"x6" compartments, into 6 - 6"X12" compartments. Doing this definitely makes it harder for predators like owls to reach in and grab martins. If you do decide to modify the compartments, it'll ...

Joeincan, That is a great martin house! As far as making the compartments larger, you'll only be able to make the compartments on the ends 6"X12" straight back, due to the Grandpa having the pole running in between the center compartments. If you do it that way, it'll leave you stuck with ...