Purple Martin Forum

In the past I had 13 pair one season but because of snake encounter several years back its been difficult getting them back. Just a couple years ago I did have one pair that came late. For some reason the birds abandoned the young hatchlings. Nowadays to discourage tree swallows has not allowed open...

Has anyone seen any PM in Virginia.......where?

Looking for scout just across border from NC. Has anyone seen them here or farther North? It seem like the scout was earlier last year. Last year I had one pair of blue birds in my back yard and 100 yards away the 2nd pair had used one of the PM gourds. The pair discouraged the PM scout to leave and...

Theories or actual acknowledge here, please. Three babies less than a week old in plastic gourd died . Was it because of the 97-98 degree temps. 3 days in a row here in southern Virginia. Did they die from the heat or did mom just quit feeding them because of the heat?

I am not a newbie but have just a small site. Something similar happened here a couple years ago. My question is was this situation with 10 eggs in one gourd? Was there more than 1 female on the nest within the same gourd ? Maybe I am a bit naive here but just wondering?

Oh how I envy you guys talking about 31 pair with 100 to fledge etc. Its only a dream...So far this year I have 2 pair. Here in south central Virginia we're right in the middle of this rain system for several days and I am concerned about the martins livelihood..Fortunately there are no young yet. I...

Wow! Very impressive results there in Mt. Pleasant, NC. I am still looking for and hoping to see just one to show up here at my very modest site in South central Virginia (20 miles North of the NC border) Plagued with snakes and hawks over the years I can only dream about a colony 1/10th the size of...

Somewhere along the way I read that perhaps cowbirds have a positive relationship with the martins? The one pair of martins here this year perch along with the cowbirds on the top of a nearby utility pole. It seems as though the two species are actually communicating with each other.

As your report states Thursday is the day.....right on key, the first sightings here in southern central Virginia

Today, two scum beaks in the trap at same time....A little later 2 beautiful martins arrived. The scum beaks had been around for about 3 weeks and actually entered the starling resistant holes in the apartment housing among my natural gourds. I first blocked the holes with over sized foam rubber tha...

For Sharon Similar to your loss of 5....the same thing happened to me 4 years ago when a black snake came in, apparently at night, to get the 5 babies plus Mom and Pop....that is when I, like you, vowed it would not happen again. I would like to learn more about your fence charger arrangement....as ...

Unfortunately, the photograph did not get uploaded, of the snake gripping the bottom of the pole and going up outside of the sewer pipe before getting tangled in the netting

Just to be sure I applied netting in addition to 8" sewer pipe this year to stop snakes. Now I am wondering did this culprit try going up inside the sewer pipe before trying the outside...Of course we'll never know.]

I have been watching the gourd arrangement very careful. All along there was one male and two females. There was definitely only one gourd involved even though there were 4 on this one rod. The feeding process started several weeks ago and I guessed at the timing for fleging to allow witness to the ...

Could not stand the suspense any longer and lowered the gourds ......just as I wondered there are 4 or 5 babies with feathers....guessing half grown. Now, how did this happen. I watched 5 fledge from that same gourd about a week ago. I have heard of strange things but would like to hear of some othe...

Thank the Lord! One pair back this year after missing 3 years (snakes). Perfected snake guard this year by placing bird netting on top of the 8" sewer pipe around the telescoping pole. Question/comments: About one week ago watched as 5 fledgings left the gourd Since then I have seen 5 birds in ...

I am trying to include photo of snake guard but cannot make it happen. Clicking on attachment indicates downloading but photo does not show up. What steps am I missing?

:grin: It has been a 3 year dry spell but thank the Lord they're back this year. One pair seems pretty well established and it appears another pair is trying to imprint on my sight. As some of you may remember my struggling situation with hawks and black snakes....14 years to get them the first time...

There are a few crows around but I would like more. It is my understanding they are about the only enemy of hawks. Any suggestions and/or comments about attracting the crows is appreciated. Other than "road kills" what would be good food for them? I tried shelled corn last year but it seem...

Thanks folks. Your comments have been helpful. I am familiar with TS & PM vocalization since the TS have been at the site for years. Previously, I was blessed to have PMs at my regular home for a few years before snakes and hawks took their toll. This makes 4 years now w/o PMs here. The vocaliza...