Purple Martin Forum

Hi, I'm in Central Virginia and normally the Martins have departed already. Some are still here. Are they waiting to meet up with a larger flock to go south? In the past they have left by mid July. I've been traveling and just got home. So surprised to see some are still here. Is anyone else experie...

Hello,

I have 8 gourds and 28 fledglings. They are in different stages of development. I'm wondering when they will be departing? Any local Virginians have an idea?

The Purple Martin Field Day is just down the road from here, maybe I'll stop by there again.

I've seen beaks peaking out the openings in the gourds. Now I've seen little Martins in flight. They'll be gone soon. I so enjoy watching them. Thanks for response Scott.

Another good year for the Purple Martins in my yard. It's the third year for them here. There are times when they are all "at home" and there are a lot of them. I don't recall from previous years when they leave. It's been a surprise in the past. One day they just take off. I think it is e...

I got home from a trip yesterday and there were two Purple Martins hovering on the patios of two gourds and ducking in and out of the gourds. It was windy and cold so perhaps they were trying to stay warm? They will have to contend with the Sparrows again this year. Last year, eventually they overto...

Still no arrivals. It can't be much longer. Soon I hope.

A Tree Swallow checked out a bird house that I have near the water. Still no Martins. Terrible weather today. I don't know if they would fly in weather like this! It's supposed to drop down to 14 degrees tonight. Burrr! Sparrows are already claiming the housing. Last year I watched the Martins strug...

Has anyone living in Central Virginia had the Purple Martins arrive yet? I looked at the Scout Report and saw a purple dot down in Southern Virginia. I think I'll put my gourds up today.

My bad. There are a lot of them still here. They are leaving the gourds earlier in the morning and coming back later in the evening. Possibly due to the heat, it's been in the 90s here lately.

It was an abundant season. All 8 gourds had babies in them. A couple of gourds had 5 and one 6, one as few as three. Unfortunately, the day of the swapping of nesting material and counting the Martins a neighbor showed up and started talking non-stop. My helper and I lost count of the number of Mart...

Thank you for the replies. I have 8 gourds and babies in all of them. Some of the gourds have mites. If I understood the literature its okay to take the babies out and swap the nest material with either pine straw/cedar shavings/regular straw. I could wipe down the gourds with wet rag too. Also it i...

I have 8 gourds, some have only two but others have many PMs in different stage of development. I'd like to count them but they are so close together in some cases they are hard to count. Is it okay to move them with my hand to count them?

Dave

I have 8 gourds, some have only two but others have many PMs in different stage of development. I'd like to count them but they are so close together in some cases they are hard to count. Is it okay to move them with my hand to count them?

Dave

Thanks Brent. I'll do the same.

Dave

I would like to join the study where I can report my nest checks, the number of eggs and babies, etc. But when I try to register my account info is tied to this account and can't be duplicated. ie. error says login and email already exist. Do I need to create a separate login and email account to pa...

Hi,

I live in Central Virginia and the Martins are still in the nest building stage. Is this the same for others in the area?

Thanks,

Dave

Good to know Spiderman. Are they already laying eggs in Texas?

Well I lowered the gourds and looked in, it caused a lot of commotion, but they are back. They are still in the nest building stage. Anyone know when they start laying eggs here in Central Virginia?

Thank you Dave and Dean for the reassurance. I will lower the gourds tomorrow and take a look. Now I'm curious.

Hi, I have 8 gourds and I live in Central Virginia. This is my 3rd year having Martins. I haven't participated in the PM survey as I do not want to disturb them, but apparently it is ok to raise and lower the gourds. At the end of the season last year I found two dead birds in the gourds, so I now k...