Purple Martin Forum

I have one Martin female that returned on March 24th and stayed in all day the 25th (cold) and will today (cold winds over 20 and 35 degrees). Future weather doesn't look promising either. I hope she has lots of fat stores and remains cozy in her igloo. I am 30 miles south of Wildcatervin :-( http:/...

When you sell your house, and if the new owners aren't interested, I will find a place for them. The Cape site had plenty of potential.
Chuck

I placed another of Carl's, a Trendsetter, which I added 4 gourd hangers, Troyers and 4 F/G driveway rods at my work colony. This put me up to 88 units. http://pontoonexpress.com/Fish/PUMA2014BA.JPG We've got your birds covered Carl, just tell them where to find their old houses when they pass throu...

I placed one of Carl's systems at the Cape Henlopen State Park Nature Center in Lewes, DE. The manager has high hopes in getting a colony reestablished after many years of absence. Monitoring the colony will be done by the Sussex Bird Club members and Park staff volunteers. All plugged up and ready ...

Great sight Ray, next time I'm up to Byler's, I'm gonna come a knockin!
You take your poles down every year and do the Grandkids still get bucket rides :-)
Chuck in Georgetown

Nannette has done some great work geotagging, very dedicated to research. Carl, when you bleed it has to be purple! Since my large colony is at work, I often get to talk to my curious customers about the joy and toil of landlord ship.
CMF

Very true, although, a quick reversal on the handle (very quick) and the brake will release. I have had mine up w/o gourds (but only half way) and never got it stuck, but I can see how it easily can. If you get stuck, a vise grip bite on the cable & pressure on spooling out will start it. Then w...

Savannah Sparrow; a common passerine of the grassland prairie has many diverse plumage blends. My first impression is the slender GISS of a sparrow, yellow tinged lores/supraloral, notched tail, moustache, slender bill, bold streaking on flank, all fit classic SASP.

Larry, that is too funny

Ray & I are 40 miles apart and we both have had sustained oppressive heat over 100 & humidity causing many to jump. I didn't want to lower my rack and find foster parents until the heat subsided and the young stayed off the porches. The bird in the photos needed to gain strength before it wo...

Key is a long thin fingernail. I hold bird in hand, index and thumb gently squeeze jaw at the hinge, finger nail from opposite hand lifts the upper mandible to catch lower and pry open. Roll pinching fingers inward partially in the mouth. This will hold the mouth open as long as you need. Insert cri...

Haaaa… the infamous bird blenders that adorn our landscape. I suppose the tree hugging eco-freaks didn't consider how many migrating birds these guillotines kill. Sorry I had to hi-jack your thread. http://www.metroline-online.com/pages/columns/earthtalk/steps-being-taken-to-protect-birds-from-wind-...

I just released the two strongest heat victims at their natal colony and they took to the air like veterans. The entire colony lifted off to greet and escort them as they flew in a straight line out of sight. Down to 7 and tomorrow or Monday the next two oldest may be ready to fly. The others are ea...

No mites folks, I treat the colony with Seven. The jumpers most likely fell off their porches from overcrowding or parents landing with food. Parasites were not found on the dead either. I hypothesize the birds had no time to acclimate themselves to temperature spike. Previous daily temperatures hav...

Friday will be 93 and dropping Saturday on into the upper 80's. If we can make it through today, I think we'll be OK. The Martins are fly-dipping the run off pond heavily and birds are sitting on the bank sipping. Glad the parents are getting refreshed. Thanks Louise
Chuck

Just walked outside and checked my work colony and found 2 dead young and 4 jumpers, none of which are near fledging. Heat is 99 and many young are on their porch trying to cool but there is no escaping, not a whiff of a breeze. I have mealworms at home to feed them and have had 100% success in prev...

Tony, I have some $$$ gear solely for avian work, its my hobby besides the obvious. This photo was taken with a Nikon 300S + Nikon f/4 600mm prime with a matching quality foundation. This shot was taken the other morning of a SY pair plucking Willow leaves for their nests. Cropped a little beyond my...

I am up to a whopping 4 pair at home and just wanted to introduce my Home Colony Hottie. Not complaining about numbers, that is a 33% increase over last year!

Thank you Veterans for providing me Freedom.
CMF

Ray, you are Delaware's test pilot for PUMA housing! Glad to see your T14 getting some action as mine had one pair in 2008 and none since! In fact, this year I did have an adult pair take up a gourd hanging below but they moved over to the Gemini. I think I might have to change my backyard attire to...

Emil, I didn't want to infer I would ever use 110 or the use of it. My question was in jest and related to a long ago post.

and... I continue to grow magnificent gourds from the descendants of the seeds you provided me several years ago.

CMF