Purple Martin Forum

There have been a few early migration reports coming in to our Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Is this happening in other states as well ?

Excellent Martintown. I built my own hawk deterent cages too. I have learned over time that the hawks have a difficult time side swiping on porches if there is a cage or set up like your posted pics. Well done.

Venting is very important to improve the environment of your plastic gourds and metal houses. Not only do pvc screw in elbows and 2 inch aluminum soffit vent reduces moisture build up on the interior of gourds and houses; the vents aid in air circulation to displace hot stagnant air inside the cavit...

I think, yes and no. Yes, because it could entice the martins to feed. No, because it could also attract some unsavory birds other than martins. Which ever you decide, keep us up to date.

RC Moser. Super design as the martins can exit to the left or right. As for ideas for an owl guard, I suggest googling online for a variety of ideas. If you go with the fencing style owl guards, please make sure the opening mesh size is 4 X 4 inch. Don't use the 2 x 4 inch.

I see no reason why you can't use this product. All sounds safe and effective. I personally use exterior premium grade construction adhesive because my homemade 28 compartment unit is made of PVC poly board and sheet metal. Read on the side the products intended uses and you will get a good idea as ...

Hello Mr Reynolds. Exact senario happened to me. Two weeks early, stepped outside and heard a male scout. Weather was brutal last night.

Thanks for the info flyin-lowe. Much appreciated.

Flyin lowe. I'm going to look into the Umarex Notos pellet gun. What are it's best features ? Just curious.

Yikes Brent. Those Great Horned Owl pics make me shiver. I think your idea of lightening the weight without a roof is a good idea for most landlords.

Great addition of perching space. Well done. I always enjoy seeing how inventive landlords can be with their set ups.

Hi Brent. It was a major undertaking adding this huge roof to the top of my pole. I added pics of my old owl cage 4X4 inch cage openings. Hawks used to pic them off while perching on the cage. Also pics of my new set up. Cable wheel, hub with metal rods from hub to round metal roof circle, underside...

I tried sending my cell phone pics showing more details, but it wasn't working. I hope you all can understand the set up with the first pics in the thread.

Martintown33, Thomabear and Brent. Thanks guys for the comments and input. The spacing can be anything over 8 inches; I put in roughly 10 inches because it fits my set up best. Each landlords gourds and or metal housing may have different spacing and therefore different clothesline spacing. I hope t...

Rob. I'm glad to know that I inspired you to make a lighter version of my design to help you at your colony. Ideas that can assist people is what it is all about. Phil. The elimination of the perches was an immediate impact on my colony. I witnessed a side attack attempt the week after I put up the ...

I posted a new thread showing 5 pics of my titled (Hawk clothesline deterrent with pics) cage, setup with some explanations. Someone on this thread wanted to see the pics, so there they are on the new thread.

Thanks Thomas. It was years in the making. lol. I love to build.

A while back, someone on a thread concerning hawks wanted me to post some pics of my hawk clothesline deterrent set up. I originally had all my racks and gourds and metal housing surrounded by owl cage fencing, but quickly found out that when martins would perch on the horizontal section of the cage...

Good idea. But, from past experience the wire mesh style cages are not hawk proof. It may stop owls, but opens the chances for hawks to side swipe the martins as they perch on the horizontal part of the square mesh. I had this style of cage and the hawk has picked of martins from the cage. I will be...

Good points Phil. I have ordered crickets online in the past and noticed that some are short on the numbers they say in the box. I will continue to research the possibilities of creating a new product of pellet cricket or insect food for martins.