Purple Martin Forum

Thank you for the pictures! They are really helpful!

Thank you for the guidance on reconfiguring my chambers. I think this will work. Last question. If I convert two chambers to a suite, should I plug the opening of one of the chambers? If I plug one of the openings, should I drill a couple of holes in the plug to allow for a little more airflow?

Can you add Gourd tunnels to a Martin Barn house? I don't have Gourds.

I live on a lake with no trees and powerlines running along the back edge of my yard. It is the perfect place for Purple Martins and I have had much success in the last 7 years of my landlord position. To say the least, I love my birds. I have figured out how to combat snakes, sparrows, mites, and b...

I like your kind of math! Already looking forward to the Spring of 2025.

I totally agree with you, this is always a bittersweet time of year as my sweet birds go south for the winter. I am so blessed to have them from Spring Break in March all the way to the middle of August. They warm my heart and make me smile. I still have one family of six hanging around because they...

This will be my fourth season as an active Purple Martin landlord and I would like to add a second house to my property. I use the S & K red barn house and will be adding a second one this season but I am not sure when to put up the second house. I always take down my housing at the end of the s...

Some great advice has been given on this thread. This is my third year as a landlord. After a rat snake attack in early June, my surviving Martins successfully fledged 17 babies. After all had fledged, I would see them congregating early in the mornings around the house and sometimes in the evening....

This is my third year as a landlord and my second year with birds nesting. I have not had a mite problem that I have noticed, but last season I did have buffalo gnats kill a couple of my early hatchlings. So, I bought some Ultra Shield Fly Spray from TSC. At the end of every nest check, I spray a pa...

I was unaware that capped eggs were something that could happen. I will add this to my growing list of things I have learned on this forum. Thank you for the information. By the way, I had a rat snake attack two weeks ago that wiped out half of my colony's babies, but the remaining 17 babies are all...

That is so exciting! I am just a little north of you up in Arkansas, and I have a couple of nests that will be fledging in the next week or so. Hopefully, I will have a similar experience to yours Thanks for sharing the success story. It is always encouraging to hear good news!

Hey Birdiegirl- I completely understand your worry, fretting and emotional investment in your birds. This is my 3rd season as a landlord and I too have had my ups and downs. After the rat snake attack last week, my surviving birds are all doing well. I have conducted several nest checks and all are ...

Thank you everyone for the encouragement! Also, thank you Conrad for the detailed description of your snake guard. I think I can make that.

Thank you all for the feedback and personal stories. I can't help but take the loss so personal. I am totally obsessed with my Martins and am doing my best to take good care of them. I have added a ton of bird netting around my original "homemade" snake guard so hopefully we will be safe u...

This is my second year to have a Martin colony and they have been doing very well. I have eight pairs who have taken to my house. I have conducted weekly nest checks and kept detailed records of nesting, eggs, hatchlings, etc. Yesterday afternoon I conducted a next check and was thrilled to see a va...

I am in central Arkansas and have yet to see any purple martins. I am hoping it is due to our chilly, rainy weather as of late. I was relieved to read on the forum that I am not alone in this boat. This is year 2 for my house so I am trying everything I can to maximize my attempts to attract Martins...

I put up a new house last season and had some moderate success in the beginning... Until the Sparrows came in! I think I have that problem solved. My concern for this year is that I have placed the pole for my Martin house inside the fence of my backyard and I have dogs. I am worried that new fledgl...