Purple Martin Forum

That looks very nice Louise. Am I reading it right that no gourds are included and have to be purchased separately? Also, are the gourd holes round or is there an option for the SREH. I have used the SREH entrances since I started and have had no trouble with Starlings or the Crows that tried to get...

I put my gourd pole up yesterday evening late and had a couple of PM's checking it out early this morning. Also have about 7 pairs of sparrows that have been checking it out all day too. I guess I'm going to have to trap them since they are wary of me and my pellet rifle already. My other pole with ...

Sorry about the storm glad you were at least safe. I was down there in the early 60's for a couple years and seen some some of your storms,wow. Were you able to lower your racks or did they ride it out ? Your site is plenty open, good luck on the rest of the season. Ed Thanks Ed, We live 20 miles f...

It's been a rough week in Central Ok. We have ten friends and family members who were all within 1000 ft of the massive devastation and all received home damage ranging from minor to a total loss. I'm very thankful that our loved one's survived and property damage was the worst that happened to them...

The sparrows are thick here too. Have not had a problem with them before but I guess every year is different. Last year the BB's gave me a lot of trouble.

Good luck Darryl...hope you have lots of PM's this year.

Really nice Pics...hope you have a great season.

Cool Pics! Really nice housing too.

Starting out good this year. Had 4 birds early this morning and managed to get a very short video this afternoon of a couple of them with sparrows and BB's at the housing. Gonna have to do something about them soon or they will build their nests in most of the compartments before the other PM's arri...

Sorry I only make a post or two each season, but I really don't have much time to pay as much attention to the birds as I would like. Have had all gourds and the house sealed up until this morning when I saw two Martins flying around checking things out. Was able to get home about 4pm to unlock the ...

Well...it appears all six PM's stayed here last night. Lot's of activity all day long and I observed several of them just before dark coming in and landing. Maybe this will turn out to be a good year.

Last year I added a new pole with 12 gourds since I had such a great year in 2010 (my first year). I thought that since my first year was a breeze, my second year would at least double the number of nesting birds. Surprise, Surprise...A pair of Bluebirds decided to defend both poles and tried to bui...

Amazing pictures Chris. Congrats on your first year. Keep posting new pic's. I really enjoy them.

Jim

Thanks Jeff,
I hoped that would be the case, but I was beginning to be concerned since all the PM visitors have been run off for the past week.

Have had several PM's stop to check out my housing the last few days but a pair of Bluebirds will always chase them off. The Bluebirds are not nesting there but use the high perch to ambush bugs on the ground. I regularly check the house and gourds for other birds that may start a nest but have had ...

Thanks for the welcome Don.
No secrets to my success my first year. My only tip would be to follow the advice of the many veterans on this forum as I did when planning the location of PM housing.

Last year my first arrival was a lone male around April 1st. He hung around several days before bringing home a mate. Within a week or so there were 7 pairs in my house and gourds. This year (my second season) there was a female scout on Feb 19th and until yesterday I had seen no more birds. One mal...

Thanks to all who replied to my post. I now feel I have several options which will work for me and the martins. The only colony I am aware of in my area is one about 6 miles west of me but I am sure there are a few houses erected closer. I live in the country and have a 2 acre pond behind my house w...

This summer was my first experience with Martins and it was very relaxing and enjoyable. I placed a pole with a 12 compartment house and 4 gourds hanging below it back in March and saw a number of Martins come and go but none stayed so I really did not expect to start a colony this year. After April...