Purple Martin Forum

Also, I think the new poles come in 4 or 5 sections. I could probably leave a middle section out, thus making the top pole with the notch, lower. In any case, your solution is a good option.
Thanks again,
Rob

Ok Dave. Great solution. I will definitely do it.
Thanks,
Rob

Hi Dave. I’m wondering, when I have to lower the trio house on the pole a few feet for tropical storms, will the house turn on the pole, if it’s not engaged with the notch at the top of the pole? Anyone else familiar with this?
Thanks,
Rob

Thanks Tom.. that was my concern. During storms, I like to lower the house, a few feet. So, you’re saying the house will spin, if lowered during storms and not all the way up to the top, set in the notch?
Rob

Tom, there’s winch kits at naturehouseinc.com, along with tons of replacement parts.
Rob

No problem, Tom. Was also wondering.. what keeps the house from spinning on the pole and changing orientation?.. (round opening inside of the house, which goes through a round pole, seems like the house would spin in the wind)?
Rob

Thanks Dave. Sounds good. That’s kind of what I thought the solution would be.
Rob

I’m planning to add a nature house MSS12 system and pole, to my colony next season. The directions say, when lowering the house, you have to get at an angle away from the pole to disengage the lanyard lock. I want to put the winch kit on. But with the winch attached to the pole, how do you get the r...

Nice plan. Nice shot!

Agree. This has been a brutal year. Was thinking the same thing as you guys... kind of want it to be over for this season too.. Feel like I’ve been thru an emotion grinder! But I know we will all eagerly be waiting their return in February...!.
Why do we do it?!!!

You tried Conrad. It’s tough, but that’s all you can do. Research shows only 50% of hand fed babies make it.
Good luck,
Rob

Yep. This has been a tough year. I lost 10 pairs from the February freeze, despite , 6 days of flipping crickets, with no success. I haven’t had any hawk attacks, but I had to use an air horn several times, for the first time in 21 years, bcuz I can see hawks flying around. Lots of them this year. M...

Oh no! That’s rough. So sorry to hear this. I’m in Laplace. Not too bad so far, here.. wind and rain.. So very sorry for your loss. Hope this passes thru quickly.
Best of luck..
Rob

I hope they remember too, Tom. Storm is passing through now and tonight. Lowered the house. But just saw the coolest thing. My first family that fledged last week, has been roosting in trees to sleep, as they normally do several days after fledging. They’ve been visiting the colony in the a.m. But t...

That’s awesome that you got them trained to take tossed crickets, Tom. Wish mine would take them, but there is just such an abundance of dragon flies here in tropical se Louisiana, mine are fat and full, and show no interest. Definitely will try again next February, when food isn’t so available.. co...

Yep.. got my houses lowered for winds tonight thru Saturday am. Just glad it’s not going to be over 40 mph gusts. Everyone should be fine if lowered and have a good pole.
Good luck..
Rob

I think Tom did have some posts about this also.

Correction. That was Brents post, I believe I I was referring to, not Toms
Rob

Hi birdiegirl, I agree with the others. I’ve been a landlord for 21 years. I love having the martins, but as Tom and others have said, it can be emotionally brutal. I’ve witnessed things, through the years, with my martins that are hard to forget. As Tom said, it’s a tough job. Good times and bad. B...

Thanks for all replies and help. Very useful! I’ve been fighting these damn mites for so many years. It’s great to have a solution! I’ve been using diatomaceous earth, but it isn’t that effective, so it’s going to be great to not have to worry about jumpers caused by mites. Thanks to all and best of...