Purple Martin Forum

Good sign. Keep us posted.

How long were the birds stuck in the entrance? Do you know the age of the chicks? Keep us posted.

I’m in Southeast Louisiana and had to supplement feed the last 3 days and again this morning. For a long time I was unable to get the birds to take crickets and mealworms until one day last season. Some birds were huddled on my roof and I decided to try flipping there and they took the food. This ye...

I’ve been using electric solar charger. Before that I used baffle guards and snake trap using netting.

I found a dead chick under one of my houses. Looking at it closely it’s abdomen seemed discolored. I read that parent birds will remove a sickly chick. I think that was the case.

Good question. I see a couple but usually I have so many more.

Thanks Phil. That’s good to know because now at dusk there is no activity but early morning it’s fierce feeding. Lots of chicks here. 72 total and one nest with 6 eggs that should hatch on the 5th.

Just wondering if the adults stay in the nest box at night once the chicks are hatched. Does anyone know? I know it would be very crowded as the chicks grow…

I like Conrad’s idea. And Scott is right about long term goals. Don’t give up. I bought the 2 door sparrow trap from PMCA and just about gave up until I caught one!! (Thanks Tom!) Since then I’ve caught several more to the point where I hardly see any but I know they’re around. Getting ready for all...

No, I haven’t had a breech. Thomabear, a member and forum participant, designed it. It saves me so much time when nest checking too. Don’t have to remove a pole guard or snake trap. Has worked beautifully so far. 2nd year I’ve had it.

Picture of my electric deterrent.

IMG_0608.jpeg This was my old set up but never trapped a snake. I’ve switch to an electric box since. By the way the netting should go above the pole guard. IMG_0816.jpeg

I think you're right. Saw two very aggressive ones today. They fought with the martins. Had to run and chase them. I've been trying to catch some. Caught 3 a couple days ago but nothing since. Damn sparrows!!

Hi all. Just did a nest check today and found two nests that had a total of 6 eggs in each. One of the 6 eggs in each was slightly pecked and taken out of the nest cup. I did see a SY male a couple of days ago and reported the sighting. I do see an occasional sparrow perched that I chase away. The n...

I have. The martins will use their own instincts and alerts. If you search the forum you’ll find many good suggestions on ways to dissuade the hawks. Anything from using air horns to decoys to cages around the houses are discussed throughout the forum. But yes, I have hawk problems and a Great Horn ...

Hey David. That is awesome. I have 2 houses filled with martins and little Bluebirds have a nest. She laid her first egg today. I am concerned because of so many house sparrows. I have 2 traps but not catching any. I’ve chased them from the martin houses and a couple of times from the Bluebird’s nes...

Thanks. I received the ST2 trap today and plan to remove at least a portion of the nest and put it in the trap. Tom sent me a picture of what he has done. Should I set the trap right under where the nest is? Set it on the patio right under the nest or off to the side?

Will do Tom. I don’t think there are eggs yet because I saw them still brining in nest material. I’ll take a little of the nest, don’t want to destroy it, and put it in the trap. I’ll stop putting food outside of the trap as you suggested. Thanks so much. The new trap hasn’t come in yet. Will keep y...

Good idea and I will do it if I’m not successful in catching them. Tom, I’m confused about what you’re saying. Should I remove the mesh walk up and flatten the wall to the trap door so that they hop through rather than climb up to the elevator? I’m probably making it more confusing. Yes send to my e...

My neighbor has a pair of sparrows nesting under their patio. I have Bluebirds nesting not far and 2 Purple Martin houses full of nesting birds. I’ve tried to catch the sparrows but have not been successful. I’m using the repeating bait trap I’ve had for a few years but they just eat the bread outsi...