Purple Martin Forum

Is the hawk attacking ON the housing?
If so, how about some owl guards or a cage surrounding the houses?

Congratulations, Lizzie on your pair! When a Landlord has no martin's a single pair is like having a super colony. :grin: Haha! You are RIGHT! Last year, I was just as happy as could be with that one pair. This year I would be as well. It appears that I have another pair looking.....not committed y...

How large a piece are you needing, Dave?

Personally, I'd go to a farm or fence supply and buy woven wire, rather than welded. It's stronger, and holds up better over the long haul.
There is one with 4" squares, made for sheep and goats.

I can't see the owl very well, but my first impression is that he isn't large enough to be a barred or great horned owl. You can recognize a barred owl by his call....."Whooo-cooks-for-youuuuuu" The great horned owl has feather ear "tufts" which look sort of like he has horns. Bo...

What is the best air rifle today , I have bought my son Benjamin , gamo and others but they don’t stay accurate very long not like the old 177 cal brass pump Benjamin open site gun I had many years ago Depends on the price range, and the type of air rifle you want. If you want quality and classic b...

Scopes vary widely, wrt quality and glass clarity. My favorites for the newer ones, are some of the simpler UTG or Leaper's brand. I also have several vintage Bushness Sportview models and they hold up well on spring piston air rifles. I would suggest that the UTG is easier to find, but I can usuall...

That is wonderful! Please update us!

I did the same, Rocksalt. None for 8 or 9 years, one pair last year. I was thinking the reason I only had one pair last year was that there just weren't other martins in the area, but I've been watching the dude this year, and he's an excellent protector- haha! Protects his gal, guards his house, he...

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Okay Ed....you're on!
This should be fun!

Thanks Tom!
And yes, I'm happy to have what I have!

Again this year. As the male pm here is so territorial, no others males are allowed to stay- he chases all of the away! I don't even have a BB nesting in the BB box that is around 100 feet away from the pm houses. Hah! The pair is FINALLY starting nest-building, and that's after the male's arriving ...

Best of good wishes for you, Flyin'-low!

If it were me, I'd do at least a couple of things. Either close off/ or change to Starling resistant entrances on the back side of the housing, where you cannot see what is happening. Lower the house and remove all signs of starling or house sparrow nesting. If you can shoot them, then do it pronto-...

I don't do either (nest checks OR have indoor birds), but when I clean out old nests, or have to do anything with any wild bird, I always wear gloves and use an alcohol based hand cleaner after removing gloves. I don't get close enough (the rest of my body) to have mites on my clothing.

JEF612 wrote:Agressive is good - he will keep the pests away!

The other martins will eventually fight their way in. Mine held his castle for 2 seasons before finally giving in

Good! I am glad to hear that!

I would be interested in the Trio and pay the extra for shipping as well. Just let me know. Can you message me me and will talk? Well, I'd love to, but I can't seem to find the pm function on the profile page. Is there somewhere else I message from? edit: I'll send an email. ..I found where to emai...

What I did was go put up an additional house, which is about 125-150 feet from the others, hoping it will be "seen" as a separate site. I'll watch for a couple of days to see what he does. I am playing daytime chatter out near the new house.....if nothing else, it will be interesting to se...

I would be interested in the Trio and pay the extra for shipping as well. Just let me know.