Purple Martin Forum

Good stuff. They are masters, false trips lead to not believing theres a hosp in there and out they go! Try a mesh laundry bag, put the trap in it and open it from inside the bag, collapse the bag, get the trap out and whack em. Iv 7 hosp in my 2 ground traps in back, caught just one a week ago havn...

Good post! And good traps, both of them. this will be helpful to folks with aim issues and who prefer that art touch. Traps are a wonderful thing, quiet, effective and will take down a pair. Especially when one sees the other in the ground trap! I was just jimmying one of those universal sparrow tra...

Its a tough one, gradual decline, predators and the oldest keep trying to return until none are left alive.

I wouldn't. Leave them be. If you get subadults, they need a place. Just my opinion.

Even when they loose chicks due to weather events like sudden cold and drought they will stay. Its the predators that drive them away. If he's using heath gourds...well you know.

I suspect his loss is your gain. encourage him to upgrade to something like you have?

Sounds perfect, even heavy hawk pressure won't drive them away. What did he say about what he noticed during nest checks? Not everyone does them i know.
Guess it goes to an owl or snake?

10-4, and thanks! Keep em safe sir, hawks can eat doves.

Sorry for the loss, its shocking when it happens right in front of you. Best bet is yes, owl guards...gives them that split second. Next id think about a martin decoy on top of the house, hawks will go for the slowest bird. Your hope is that decoy. They do learn fast though, after one or two strikes...

Exactly, they have to be hungry. The long red plastic spoons from DQ are best IMO. Take some practice and they do break but once you get the hang of it, they launch way way up.

Phil, That is one of the most generous offers iv run across in a long time. I would be an idiot to pass! Ill gladly accept!!! I'd for sure do the shipping cost and pay whatever trouble it puts you through to boot. Wow, that is so extremely generous Phil. Ill send the pictures of them hanging proudly...

Thanks Phil, Its great, I love it. Turtles, fish, snakes in the pond, Texas tortuous wandering around, some deer, bobcats. Great! I think those gourds add more to appeal to them. And gives visitors ideas. All those gourds in those racks are occupied now. 2 years ago we only had one pair. First light...

Ahhhhhh, thanks Tor. Although I get to work around them all day now, travel 2.2 miles during lunch to see my own colony.

The commute is terrible- 3 stopsigns and a school zone. Sigh.

Nothing like the sound of a martin colony, worth a pause during the work day and just watch. Good for the soul.

Yeppers sir..now 3 or 4 more new males. One looks like a female, dead white brest but has a few spots. They play "house" when the residents are gone. Iv only one cavity for them, if that pair that was hogging 3 (now down to two) cavities relinquishes one. Plenty of room 2.2 miles away at t...

Well here it depends on how far along they are in cavity selection. Early on its pick a house, go eat, straight to bed. No socializing. Later, as more show and homes are ironed out lots of socializing goes on. They take off in the am, fly around a bit then settle back down to talk amongst them selve...

Good gosh what a big jump!! Well that is interesting about the eggs nearest the front. We have a lonestar goliad, did a quick peek today to see how things are progressing, one nest (and they have just barely gotten started here) is right up near the front. Hope she moves back! Glad you posted that, ...

Suppose it depends on your sparrow or starling pressure. And when your martins returned last year. Generally,folks will open a few cavities a week or more in advance of arrival. Some to trap those HOSP and starlings before martins arrive. As martins start to show, they open more and more. Me, I put ...

Sounds crazy...but can you get them at night? I mean use a ladder, reach up and grab them while its dark?

Lisa,
Sounds upbeat and positive! Great start!

I too had not seen one in 2 weeks, come home and one is singing from the house...he slipped up and paused a sec too long. Beetlejuice!!!!!!!!

Alls good, uploading pictures here can be a pain sometimes.

Even during winter and after martins have left I put up nest box traps next to a suet feeder, the young ones jump right in.
Let us know how it goes!
Best,
Tom