Purple Martin Forum

Yesterday, I had 5 martins to show up at the same time. That's the most that has came at one time. I already had 80 gourds up, so I opened up a few entrances. Hustled to get the pine needles in the other 16 and get them hung. They were so happy and a little more vocal than usual for early birds. So ...

jr2. Be careful when putting something on the ground for the martins to fly down and pick up. They are very vulnerable on the ground an an easier prey for faster flying birds. I put up a large wire type basket on another pole that I put nesting material in. However, I use mostly pine straw or needles.

Thanks JL I will do so when I get off from work today. Last year was such a bad year for a lot of folks and especially mke. Hawks tormented me all last summer, they even got to where they would land under the gourds on the ground waiting for the jumpers. Just wonder if this will have an effect on my...

I have three birds that are back already. They are a little later than normal this year. I have three gourd racks up with gourds hanging already. I have 2 or 3 gourds on each rack opened up. THE BIG QUESTION? Should I open up more housing at this time or wait for a few more birds to arrive? Thanks t...

I noticed the other day that a small martin without any feathers was lying on the porch of one of my gourds. If that little fellow died will the martins just take him to the porch and leave it there?


Joe

JL, I like when the martins score. That just makes the martin season a little sweeter. CB, thanks for the post. Never give up and keep trapping and killing those filthy birds. John, hope things are going well with your martin season. You are so right when you speak of taking them out. (The trash tha...

After eliminating about a dozen starlings with my Gamo pellet gun, I have a bit of good news. One starling had built a nest three different times after I kept tearing it out. I watched several hours and the starling never once tried to take to another gourd. She never offered to attack any of the ma...

Delma, never give up my friend. I tried for 20 yes 20 years before I got my first pair. After that it has been amazing how God has blessed our home with such a feathery family. Sometimes it is hard for others to talk about their martins and for yourself to not be able to attract them. I can reemembe...

I use a cake pan that is mounted on one of my arms that hold my gourds. I drilled a two holes through the pan on through the arm and used small bolts to secure it. I also drilled a couple extra holes so the water could drain from the pan.

Good Luck!!!!!


Joe

I have actually placed some marbles in and removed the eggs out of the sparrow nest. Let the little heifer set on them all year long and see what she thinks. I have a friend that whittles out pieces of chalk. He removes the eggs replaced by chalk. He just dies laughing when he talks to me about it. ...

rr I see that you are fighting the same battle as myself. Hang in there, every one that dies is that many eggs that will not be laid to hatch.

Keep on killing until the battle is won.

Joe

rr, johnny, dorn, and dan, I appreciate the replies and just think that each time I kill one of these idiots that could amount to several over the years. Hundreds and even thousands are likely for a long period of time. This morning was the first morning in a great while that I did not see one of th...

Well 2 more starlins this morning put to rest. Where do these things keep coming from. Oh well it is a lot of fun to see these trash birds bite the dust.

Joe

Well Susan, you are correct. This is the first year that I have had problems with starlings. They are actually able to enter into my Conley II entrances on my Troyer horizontal gourds. I have some of the Troyer vertical gourds as well, and they are not bothering them. I just don't understand how the...

Well I killed another one this morning. It was a female starling, I wish they would just go away and leave me and my family alone!!!!!!!!!!

Well they sure have been a problem for me this year. First year that I have seen a starling breech a Conley II entrance. I don't think the male could get through but the female was considerably smaller. She is resting now in BIRD _ _ LL now. I opened up the troyer horizontal gourd and tossed the 4 e...

Thursday March 29, 2012 killed one starling --- Friday the 30th killed another starling --- Yesterday killed one starling and 1 english sparrow. This morning before the crack of dawn, I moved into shooting position using my truck to camo my presence. In a very short time, a starling landed on one of...

Thanks folks, I appreciate it and hope that each has a wonderful martin year. Those that have never had birds to stay, I wish them the best because I know what it's like to read and hear of others that have birds and you have none. I tried for twenty years before it all came together for me. Once th...

Last Friday a little gal showed up and spent the night. Saturday the 10th flew around while I was trying to finish hanging some gourds. She was so quiet and never made a peep. Yesterday she was still very quiet. ]BUT IT ALL BROKE LOOOOOOOOOSE THIS MORNING. :lol: Such beautiful singing and they were ...

Hey Gobbler, way to go man. Good luck this just may be the year.I waited for twenty years to just have one pair. After that bazinga, they really took to my place and they have really flourished the last few years. Keep on trying and don't give up, it will finally happen. I have my fingers crossed an...