Purple Martin Forum

So I have 8 cavities open. All with nest boxes. All prenested. I put mirrors in 2 of the compartments. Yesterday, I lowered the house to check. I'm not sure of how many PMs are hanging out, but in both of the cavities that have the mirrors, the PMs moved the pine straw from the back of the cavities ...

Thanks Jones! I got a small bag of it at Tractor Supply yesterday. I poured it in a feeding tray and placed it on a Shepards hook. I also put the few egg shells I had in the tray. Hopefully they find it and can use it.

Definitely PM poop. It was in the front of the nest box, not on the nest trays. I guess I'm going to have to potty train them.

Is one better than the other for the PMs?

It's a new Trendsetter house, so I assume it's fairly Starling resistant. I rarely see Starlings, but I also work full-time. Every evening as the sun goes down, the PMs return. Two pair have been sitting in front the 2 compartments that I found the poop in. I will clean it out and monitor.

Tom! June bugs! We have lots of them. I just seem to remember when they typically arrive......

I did a neat check today to see if any HOSPS were trying to take up residence. Didn't see any sign of that. I did find PM poop in a few of the compartments. Is this normal? Marking their territory? Should I clean it out?

That's a great thought Jeff. I wonder if all of the 'help' we are trying to offer them is actually doing that or are we hurting them in the long run? I don't know, but we are trying with good intention.

Rob, yes they were live. They were slow moving, I guess due to the cold? Some were a little more active and would jump off of the spoon before I had a chance to flip them. For those, I started crunching them slightly before flipping. Most of the crickets that they missed and I was able to find were ...

I was thinking well, it's only 48 hours, but some of them are new arrivals are hungry due to their migration. It's supposed to warm up here over the next few days, so hopefully the insects get to moving.
Yes sir! I'm a Dairy queen fan and can use any excuse to go!

All you can do is to put the food out there and hope that they eat it. Hang in there Bill!

I'm not sure about their migration. I have feeders out and I only use black oil sunflower seeds as I've read that the HOSPS don't like them. I have heard some say HOSPS will eat them, but I never see them eat it at my place. Also, I've heard that air horns work well. Good luck!

Here in SW Louisiana, we've gone about 48 hours where temperatures haven't been above 50. I have 8 PMs that have been hanging out all day on the house not moving much. I decided to go get some crickets at a local gas station. I picked up around 100. Got a plastic spoon (went through 3 of them) and s...

Thanks Tom. Yes it does. I will be watching for green leaves, but it will probably we a while. I'm up to 2 pairs!

Still working full-time here. In my free time, I was obsessed for years with running and triathlon. I finally burned out about 1 year or so ago. Now I'm obsessed with the PMs. A whole plethora of bad or harmful things to be obsessing with. PMs aren't one of those in my book. Don't put too much press...

How soon after the PMs arrive do they begin mating and laying eggs? Thanks

Thanks for the replies. Good information. I'll put it in the bank. I have woods behind my house and the area where my houses are, so shooting isn't a problem. I need to get a tripod as I have missed too many of them. You are right in that if you get a shot and miss, they don't forget! Happy hunting!

Tom, what are your thoughts on the fake eggs? Attracts the HOSPS?

I didn't get a great look as I didn't have much time to watch after work. Hopefully they will stay. Still have the Dawn Song playing. I have 8 of 16 compartments open. All prenested and a little Sevin Dust. 3 compartments have mirrors in them. Think I should leave them in ?

Hopefully the rest of the winter is mild. Its 76° and humid here in SWLA. Cooler weather later this week. Good luck!