Purple Martin Forum

They got more aggressive as time went on. They were still 6x6 during this: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-WD4vd ... j86IJ/view

6x6 at the time that was filmed. Now the rear 2 (upper and lower) have an entryway between them, so 6x12 with a divider, and the rest are 6x6.

It's an S&K 12 room one.

They just straight up can't fit in:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Mh61zg ... uD4Wc/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SyhANv ... qz5qL/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i0PXC0 ... xbxoV/view

In the last few days they've gotten way more aggressive. The S&K plastic is probably fine, it doesn't look like they can do much to it.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-WD4v ... qoZsaj86IJ

No, I figured I'd worry about considering that once a purple martin showed up (no purple martins have come by yet).

The starlings are now attacking the entrances and trying to widen them (unsuccessfully).

Do you know what this bird is and is it harmless to PMs?

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lPnN5- ... p=drivesdk

There were are least 4 all over the house checking the rooms. I closed up all but one and if they come back I'm just going to close it up until they move on or I see a purple martin.

So I haven't seen a single purple martin (on the cameras either), but multiple starlings every single day trying to get in, some with nest material. Today I had a new pair show up: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1AaHhIYUwBTYnmDXp9fM6EtHzyy6qAMpl https://drive.google.com/open?id=1RFJh3rpNTdYaZZR_4y...

What kind of power and network (wifi/ethernet) and how many cameras?

Here in Corpus Christi we have a big wave of Purple Martins this evening. Around 5pm I started seeing hundreds of PMs kettling up high and also hunting at treetop level. Hundreds as far as the eye can see in every direction. A friend that lives about 5 miles from me says he has them as well. Most P...

When you see the starlings get in part way and pushing with it's feet then you'll see the SREH in action. Yeah now they're trying that and bringing nesting material... it's not working, but they're trying: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Mh61zgUx9kLzkzPq65amnzNGKExuD4Wc https://drive.google.com/o...

I thought it was just a pair, added a camera aimed at the yard, it was actually a small flock of like 10 starlings. I guess they sweep through every morning to grab the bugs and berries in my yard? A few of them brought straw/grass material up to the house and stuck their heads in before giving up t...

So the starlings are all over the house every morning for 15-20 minutes checking most/all of the insides of the compartments (just sticking their heads in and looking). Only once did I see them bring nesting material (then proceed to not fit in)

Will that scare off PMs?

The starlings can't get in but they show up on it every day and inspect the house and the holes... it's a pair. Hopefully the starlings hanging around (but not being able to get in) doesn't bother PMs looking.

There are ways to do this, but internet is a bigger issue. Ring cameras work with solar, but constant motion will be too much for just the solar panel power.

Sounds like a no.

Bluebird houses instead then?

As starlings are abundant and also eat insects, if I wanted to put out a house for one or two pairs, how far from the pm house would be appropriate(100ft?)... Or is this a bad idea?

They're still going.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=17cM2l ... x4kIzuC2VO

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1JjCrP ... gkkqP14lYY

It's one of those $20 Wyze cameras (wifi, powered by USB 5V) on an S&K 12-compartment house. (which sounds good except... with a $10 outdoor cover a 24V (5A/120W) AC adapter nearby (30ft from base) a 12ga 2-conductor wire buried and run up to the birdhouse, which goes into the attic of the house...

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1fIKsS ... nPnmhAJPO1

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1e1Jd2 ... q2bzEeaNUF

No martins yet though.

Unfortunately I'm positioned kinda close to trees (30-50ft to base of trees, but they're 4-5 stories tall, no option unfortunately.)