Purple Martin Forum

I didnt think any bird would eat a love bug. Nastiest critter in existence. Id have to see that happen. No love bugs here but maybe on the interstate.

Keeping a house up for these birds since 1979 I've never seen them raise their young ones this quickly.Usually they finish up ny mid July. This year first part of June they are done. No birds left hanging around. I figure there must have been a lot of insects for feed or they know something we dont....

The Martins here are now beginning to head North. Today I saw my first Martin, Covington La,
fly pass my house. Just waiting for the rest.

I know when it's getting close for my Martin's arrival because my buddy always shows up. Mine are not due until mid Feb.

I have taken my water hose and gave my birds some relief.

Ha ha.

Not sure about this but usually my colony wind up in another couple weeks but they finished couple weeks ago before our heat spell. Just was wondering if they knew to get'em out before it got too warm. Im glad.

I unlock mine when they come a knocking and It'll help keep other birds out.

I've always timed their arrival by the Crane Flies I see. So far here in Central LA no flies, and no Martins.

Today great news. Two males and one female showed up. Also Mr Hawk is alive and well, seen flying low circles.

Has anyone in Texas or Louisiana seen any free flying Martins? Just wondering if there may be a chance that some will show up that were not here for the bad weather. I haven't seen any at all. Had 5 before the freeze and found 3 in the house dead. 2 male and 1 female. The other 2 I'm not sure what h...

Haven't seen mine for three days and this morning with the sun out but cold not a peep from them. I will wait until Sunday when the temp is to 70 and lower the house to see if any are in there. Don't have any hope on that they made it unless they left flew South.

That air horn idea sees like a good idea as I too have to put up with Hawks. Mine don't seem to migrate but stay the whole year round. Being retired I spend a lot of time on my patio fending off a particular hawk but he still is able to grab a couple. I usually go out in the early mornings and late ...

Dsonyay,

The doctor you mentioned that took care of the Martin house by the lake in Slidell, was
his first name David? He once asked me if I wanted to come down and visit the site but
I never did. Just wondering, I haven't heard anymore about that location.

David, All I can tell you is you just have to put the fear into those BB's anyway you can. I too now have another pair to maybe deal with. My Martins seems to leave early and don't come back until dark. This is not normal as they should be spending more time at the house. Martins are so passive and ...

Have today 5 males beginning to settle in. Was touch and go for awhile because of a Blue Bird pair clamied their 2 BB houses plus our Martin house. Gave these Martins fits. So I had to retrain the BB's. All is well now and everyone is happy again.

I've had S&K houses (two) and kept them for over ten years. You may want to keep some paint on them so they look presentable. Never considered changing the roof color from green to say white before, even though it does get hot here in So La. It is what it is in the summer. Yeah, its plastic and ...

Only one I knew of and once checked out is the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway North and South ends.

Maybe you can cut that tree down.

I too have a hawk that takes some of my martins. I have
spent many hours outside watching out for these birds. Now they have done their thing
for this year, and have gone until next season and it will start all over again.

Hi, My experience every year is the birds come and have their honeymoon, then get down to building nest. They have their young feed and raise them and as the little ones start to fly it's seems to be party time for all. Then they stop using the house but for the next several weeks do come by for a v...