Purple Martin Forum

Thanks Craig
All of my females are subs...so that explains a lot.

I have now found 2 broken eggs on the ground and another is out of a nest on the ledge. I have starling resistant openings. My houses are in a small town setting and close to the my home so I can easily observe what is going on. I've not seen any predator birds, snakes, or wild animals. There is a s...

I have only 3 nesting pair in one of my houses and 2 in another. My colony decreased year before last year from about 15 nesting pair. I looked in on my nest and it looks like there are 6 nest in one house (the one with 3 pair) and eggs laid in 4 of them. Most of the eggs were laid right by the open...

Do you think they will return next season? I sure hope so!
Or will I just have to wait it out till a new colony is established?

There are several Martin houses in this little town of 2,600, I should drive around the neighborhood and see if the homes are full

I have been a landlord for about 10 years and the houses were here when I bought my home. I always have about 15 nesting pair but this year only 2 nesting pair have returned and 1 of that pair is a sub. I live right in the middle of a small town on a well traveled road. There are really no predators...

I just saw a PM sitting on one of my houses! YAY Plus my husband will be home Thursday and he shoots the sparrows with a pellet gun. I know it sounds ugly...but it works. Until then I will I will leave the sparrow nest alone and set up my sparrow trap. Sparrow trap and the pellet gun method should w...

I ordered the Blaines trap, it should arrive today or tomorrow. The sparrows are worse than they have ever been. My arms are so sore from lowering the trap 3 times a day to remove the sparrow nest. I've only sen 2 scouts and I'm afraid the PM won't move in this year :-( It that a possibility? I have...

Hi Lousie,
I have one Trio House and one more or less looking Heritage Farms House.
It's more of a hexagon shape and has starling proof holes.

Where do I place the the trap you recommended?

Thanks so much,
Hope

Thanks Don, I have considered that! But I am a dreadful shot. He is a competition marksman. It a b=very tough shot to make. especially when you live in a small town. I'd most likely hit someones window.

What is the best Sparrow Trap I can buy online? I have a awful time keeping them out of my Martin houses. I live in a small town.... Not in a rural setting a sparrow are everywhere! I'm having to lower my houses everyday and pull out the nests they keep trying to make. I know it's not the best thing...

I am in Mid Missouri and I had 4 jump today, sadly 1 was already dead when I found it the other three were very lively. It's gotten this hot here plenty of times but I've never had any jump before..... not knowing what to do I got on here straight away and saw there had been lot's of jumpers in this...

Thanks!! I will check it out and get ready!

Hi, I'm in mid missouri and this is the first time I have taken my houses down for the winter. When should I get them back up for the new season? I know I should record the arrival dates down each year but never do, I'm always just so excited to see them I don't think of it :lol: Any help would be g...

Thanks, I will do that!! Today it is going to be 97 and tomorrow 100. The chicks are so cute right now and when they are hot and leaning out I feel so sorry for them. I think for next season I may drill a few small vent holes in the sides of my houses but be sure to make them so I can use plugs in t...

What do you all think of misting the houses with the garden hose? I have aluminum houses and it has been around 95 here in mid missouri. The babies are not quite ready to fledge and I'm worried they will over heat. Do you think it will cool the houses to mist the tops of them or make it hotter?? Tha...

Hi, I'm glad to hear it. I live in about 30 miles north of Columbia and have not seen any yet. It's great to know they are arriving. I hope we have a great season!!
Hope!

Hi Everyone, I keep forgetting to record when my martins make it to central Missouri. If anyone knows, let me know.
Thanks, Hope!

I had small colony this year but it has been a wonderful season. I have one pair and 3 fledgies left and it looks like they are going to spend another night in the nest. Today I saw the strangest thing. With just the momma and the 3 fledgies here now for days about 10 or so came back today as if to ...

I have read about changing the shape of the entrance holes on my Martin houses to keep Starlings out but the Martins can still get in. Has anyone tried this? I am a fairly new landlord of an established colony. The Starlings are really trying to move in this year before the Martins arrive. I've not ...

I was looking at a 2007 scouting report and saw that Nancy Hayes reported from Fayette, Missouri. I tried to look her up on the member list. But being pretty new to the forum I may not be doing it right. If there are any members in "my fair city" let me know. I would love to compare notes....