Purple Martin Forum

Louise, I know the feeling all to well. It's been a miserable spring for the Martins. Iv'e fead more than 30 thousand mealworm's and they want more! They won't eat the egg's when they can have the worms. I just wonder how many we've lost? Maybe just me, but we are usually over half full now. I don't...

I hope they have a bag full of bug's! Doug.

I hope were through the worst of it, we'll see?

Darryl.
How many day's has it been since they ate?
If more than 3 and they won't eat, Most probably won't make it.
You might want to try finding a rehabber that can take them and try to care for them.
It may be their only chance.

Doug, I completely agree with you. Well said.

It's alway's better to know they are getting something to eat than guessing and hoping they are.

It does work John, That's how iv'e been feeding the female. I started just putting them on the floor inside the entrance. Then the BB's found them and wouldn't let her in the gourd! So i hung a round hole plug inside the access cap, and in one compartment of the N-Star. Has not bothered her at all. ...

Dave,
I hope they are someplace getting fead. If not, they probably won't make it.
I really doubt they went back south. I think once they get here there's no turning back JMHO.

So far she is doing fine. She doesn't know how to feed here from the platform feeder that most from here go to when needed. I tried flipping and she'd fly off. I don't want to stress her anymore than i have to. So i have been putting mealworm's in her compartment and she's eating them. If it was onl...

jr2, I'm way north 4mi. south of lake erie. Yes we have a nice size colony around 75 to 80 pair. This is really abnormal for hear. John, i really wish you retained that honer, because now i have to worry and hope i can keep her alive. I'm afraid she's gonna have a rough road ahead. Toyinpa, I was sh...

I don't have the time to post much here, but this i'd like to share. Mostly for those here in the nouth. I was working outside yesterday when i herd that unmistakabe voice of a PM. I looked up and sure enough their she was an ASY female calling and circling the colony that is not at all ready yet! S...

Thank's for posting the photo's Emil. Mine are on the inside, but either way i believe will work. JR2, I used sch.40, it's what i had laying around. Either will work. The sch. 20 might get brittle from the sun on the outside and not hold up as well unless you paint it. Just be sure you can open the ...

M. Stephen's, I have had 4 wing entrapment's and lost 2 before i seen them. Fortunately i caught the other two before it was to late. The solution has been tried and tested here 3 year's and i have not had one since i installed 1" guard's i cut and installed in all my gourd's. Super gourd's, TH...

Yes, Allen good job! I used to have at least one entrapment every year. I don't know what type of entrance's you have. But i have many of the tunnels John mentioned with the wing entrapment guard's. I have also modified other's making the entrance thicker by about an inch. All my entrance's are cres...

Kathy, I have a male with white spot's on his neck. He has nested here for at least three years and maybe as a sub as well? He is at least 4 yr's old,I call him Freckle's. He was late getting here by close to two week's behind the first arriaval's. His compartment is already taken and as of today i'...

Hello Mingjomartins, I am in NE Ohio. We have over 50 back and most are paired already. Just a few extra Males as of today.
We hosted 84 pr. last year and they fledged aprox. 310 young.

Hello Allen, We have the same going on here. No snow, but rain and cold for the next several days. It's been a tough spring, if it's not rain, it's wind 25 mph or more. We have more than 50 back and most have been eating from the BB for the past couple day's. They have been flying, but i don't think...

Talk Host, I as some other's here don't think the SREH"S are the problem. I had 84 pair last season all using these opening's. My neighbor has had all round hole's and has done the same as you. Enlarging what SREH's he had because he did not think they could get in. He had around 40 pr. last ye...

I don't know if you have ever sullplemental fead them? Although i'm sure you have read or know about how it's done. I started like many, using a plastic spoon than a sling shot to get them started. While this was quite entertaining and enjoyable. It was also cold and miserable outside. I used to fli...

Martinboy, I'm located in NW OH. aprox. 15 minute's from the state line. This will be our ninth year hosting PM's. Last year we were blessed with 83 pair. I as many, was very concerned about their return after all the losses of young last year. Fortunately our PM's take supplemental feeding and we w...

I would go and have it up. Maybe plug the opening's until you see Martin's in the area. You never know, you might get lucky and attract and ASY male. Many new colonies are started by adult's as well. They should be arriving in good number's in the next several week's. The Sub adult's will be a few w...

These look more like Northern Rough-Winged Swallow's to me??
Whatever they are Charles, they won't eat the fish. Nor will any of the Swallow's.