Purple Martin Forum

Thanks Anita for your efforts. I'm not surprised the public relations people are willing to listen and ultimately learn about PMs. Up and until you folks educate them about PMs to them they are just another bird that needs to be controlled both from a safety standpoint but an inconvenience standpoin...

PMs are very agile flyers so the threat of a bird strike is limited and their size is not a problem 99.9% of the time for air transport size equipment. Boeing Airbus etc. Airports generally have willing listeners to be good neighbors. I would call the regional airport authority and speak with their ...

Well the 5 babies fledged as predicted on July 13 and 14. Each day now you routinely see PMs flying around the area. From time to time a little activity on house but they seem to be hanging out in the trees a lot then flying around to catch food. But they are still here for now. Will definitely be p...

Planelivin, did you have any nesters or were they just passing through? I've had a ton of Martin activity but no additional nesting. But some days I literally have 15-20 martins flying around, landing, and roosting. The noise of their chatter sounds like the CDs I played back in the beginning. Loud...

I found a way to plug the holes was by simply turning the nesting box around backwards. Then when the wrens stopped coming since they were closed I simply lowered house and turned boxes back around holes accessible again.

Is it possible to be getting additional nesting this late in June? I noticed today about 20 PMs males and fermales flying around my house and noticed what appears to be two new females going in and out of the additional unblocked entrances. I've also noticed what appears to be very young PMs landing...

Sounds like your babies are doing well. They will be on their trip to Brazil before you know it. Being a Airline Pilot, I imagine you appreciate the fact they make the round trip every year. And have the GPS ability to return to your yard and their house to raise another brood. Here is a Chart that...

I was on a 6 day trip and figured while gone my eggs would hatch. I came home last night. And today after the early gentle steady rain quit I gave the adults plenty of time to fly and catch insects etc as they were really swooping near the ground and garden area. Once all that activity settled down ...

Nest check today and have 5 eggs which were laid sometime between Tuesday and today. I put a few dried mealworms on the ledge and in the cavity as we have had a lot of rain from Alberto the last few days here in KY. Noticed a few ants so I put a little Seven dust under neath the nesting material and...

Incubation takes 15 – 18 days and brooding takes 28 – 29 days. Thanks. I did read the literature and saw the incubation of roughly 16 days but could not find the time hatching to possible flight. I'm sure it's in there some where. So thanks again for the quick version. My issue is being an airline ...

I did a search of timeline but nothing specific. Green in nest = eggs in 3-5 days. Once eggs seen in nest what is the incubation period to hatching? Once hatched what is the typical days in nest timeline for fledging? I've also read if eggs seen minimize nest checks to once every 5 days unless an is...

I will order and add a pole guard for sure

Your martins are feeding and getting their body stores replenished after their long trip north. Since you have seen green leaves in the nest, the female is preparing for egg laying in the next few days. The bug population should be more than adequate this time of year to get your martins healthy fo...

TheSmiths wrote:Some people leave the decoys up in case a hawk comes around. If the hawk goes for the decoy it gives the real martins time to escape.

Ah...great idea. Decoys going back up.

Quick update: I went ahead and took the decoys off as I did my first nest check and had the house down and sure enough. Nest building in 1 cavity has commenced. There was a piece of fresh green blade/grass as well. Fingers crossed... I have noticed not much activity during the mid morning to later i...

Hey, Shannon, Flyin-lowe, above, suggested to stop the CD and let the martins take it from here. You are correct. That's what I get for attempting to read when I should have been sleeping. There's that good ol' KY public education showing up again... LOL Should I also take down the decoys? And sinc...

Thanks everyone so far for the comments and suggestions. Much appreciated. Should I keep the CDs playing and keep the same impression that stuff is going on or should I discontinue now?

Campbellsville is in Kentucky for the person that inquired.

Shannon

I'm looking for advise to go from here so I don't mess it up. Short story is: Bought a Lonestar Golliad Jr 8 with nesting boxes and placed cedar hamster type shavings in boxes. No mud and no green stuff or twigs and did not want to get caught taking compact mirrors from wifes makeup. Got the house u...