Purple Martin Forum

Thanks for your replies, Tom and flyin-lowe. I know it was worrisome when I first tried the SREH - the first martins that came acted like they didn't know what to do with them. But it didn't take them long to figure it out. This will be my 4th year with them, using gourds. Many years ago I had them ...

I am getting some new additional gourds and I'm trying to decide which way to go. I only have Conley 2s and have had pretty good luck keeping startlings out. An occasional one gets in but that's usually early in the season. Does anyone have a preference between Crescents and Conley 2s? Or are they p...

It is with a heavy heart that I come here today to tell you that our friend, Russ Hefty, has passed away. I can't say enough about how much he loved purple martins and how much love and effort he put into helping anyone who was the least bit interested in them - to start their own colony. He always ...

Thanks, Thomas!

Thank you ALL for your replies and opinions. Sounds like we're all pretty much on the same page - both styles seem to make the martins happy - and that's what it's all about, right? Thanks again!

I hope you all have a great and successful martin season!

I'm going to order a few more Troyer gourds and I'm trying to decide which one to order. I have some of both already and I can't really tell if the martins prefer one more than the other. It seems to me that the horizontals would keep them safer from predators because they appear to have a longer tu...

That's glorious news! I hope you get even more - but I'm sure you will be satisfied with what you have already if that's what you actually end up with this year. Next year there will be more.

Thanks, MY FYN 79!!! Congratulations, SE Wisc hopeful! I hope this is the beginning of something beautiful for you! Balsam Bob - Don't give up on this pair yet. Good luck! Keep us posted! As for me - I'm still hanging in there with that lousy sparrow! Beings I can't seem to trap him with the gourd t...

Holy Cow! That was genious! I'm so glad you finally figured it out and are such a great sniper. Sure wish I could do that to the sparrow that's here. Congratulations on a successful season!

I'm from the Monroe area which is about 10 miles north of the IL state line so I hope you don't mind my joining in your conversation. I used to have martins many years ago and then, one year, they just never returned. So I have been trying for years to get them back. In 2017 I put up our first gourd...

We're having bad storms tonight/right now - tons of wind. I lowered our racks about 3 hours ago and my birds are all in their chosen gourds. I am bad at estimating - I think they are down to about 8-10 feet. Hopefully they'll be ok.

Thanks for that eclipse update, G Saner. That was so interesting to hear how they reacted.

Yah, the person isn't an internet person and asked me to share the info. Thanks!

Can someone please explain to me how to report a scout arrival for someone other than myself? I know how to do it for myself but a friend of mine has given me permission to report for him and I can't figure out how to do it. Thanks.

Aww, I'm so sorry you lost that one last baby. :(

I know - and I agree! It's crazy! I have a granddaughter in Collinsville, IL and even they were under an alert yesterday and still today. Our alert ended at noon today - we can finally see again! I feel so bad for the Canadians who live around in it!

Thanks FYN79 and Red! You're right - it's all been so worth it!

Thanks Dee Cee and Birdiegirl! I'm enjoying every 2nd I can of them. I hope you are enjoying yours, as well.

Thanks! It's the worst today - even more so than yesterday and yesterday was really bad. One of my granddaughters lives in southern IL, near St. Louis and she said it has reached them today. Maybe the rain we get tonight will cut some of it. I hope everyone is taking precautions with their health if...

Thanks, Jones4381! We've been dealing with the smoke for weeks, too, but right now it's extremely bad. It's supposed be be better by noon on Thursday but that probably only means it won't be extremely bad......but still not good. I guess we'll just have to wait and see how everything fares from it a...