Purple Martin Forum

I would not stir that pot! It is a well known fact (not true) that martin's consume huge numbers (2000 or more a day) of mosquitoes, I doubt they eat mosquitoes at all. The public believe this misinformation, I would leave that sleeping dog lie! I hear it all the time your martins poo to much but lo...

I agree with Emil. Dutton-Lainson Company's Brake Winch is rated to lift 350lbs, PMCA shop has them for sale Cedar T-14 weight is around 100lbs that is with the nest trays. They work really well for my T-14's ! You can buy T-14 House Plans for next to nothing in PMCA Shop, it will take all the guess...

Mark, Playing a favorite piece of music on a good stereo is a wonderful thing, we like to turn up the volume and enjoy the music. Take the same music played on a cheap sound system cranked up ,and we want to run away. The martins at my colony sing the dawn song at dawn just before first light around...

You don't really need the dawn song to attract PM's, I have never played it. Placing very good housing in a open place, and keeping other species' of birds out of it is the most important factors. PM's have very large eyes, indicating good sight, if the birds can see your housing and are looking for...

I built a Foyer for my T-14s that I add to resist or stop porch domination, it works very well as a predator guard too, owls can't see inside the nest chamber. The Foyer is really simple to make, is skookum, and very light weight. I will try to upload some photos. The Foyer with a rectangle entrance...

When I had Canaries, I tried not to startle a hen on the nest off, because when she jumped off she could have eggs in her feathers, and they would fall and break. So I agree with banging on the pole to notify the birds before lowering the house. I lower my housing often for nest checks, wind, or som...

Matt, House Wren's are not good to have around your Martin colony, and if you provide them with housing this year you will be encouraging them to come back next year in greater numbers! If a House Wren shows interest in any of my bird boxes, I close the box until he moves along. It is the nature of ...

Matt, The power lines, pool, and your natural gourds are all good things that Martins like. The wren, if it is a house wren, can be bad news for other cavity nesting birds. I like the little house wren, but I don't allow them to nest on my property. T14's are really easy to build, the PMCA shop has ...

Hi Matt, I think you are very lucky to have Amish people for neighbors, they are very friendly, and know how to attract martins, you could have a chat with them about the birds. The spot you have less than 100 feet away from your house, that is 100x150 feet should be open enough for your gourd rack....

Hi John,
That is really interesting, a very good outcome, 4 chicks is a lot better than none for sure!
I wish you great luck with your colony .

Mitch, It will probably be ok as she had a good look at your offerings, he may go round her up again. But it never hurts to leave the martins alone until they choose your place. I would stay away from them at first, give them a chance, you are an added distraction that don't help. The birds know you...

Mama,
Congratulations on the start of your colony, the photo you are showing as your founding lady, is a SY male, I think ?

How ever if you seen them copulating , I guess I'm wrong, the fog don't help from my view

Hi John, Regarding the ten eggs, I would think there are two clutches of egg in that nest! If the hen has been incubating all ten eggs ,I would be surprised if any of the ten hatch. Ten eggs is far too many for a martin to incubate successfully. The hen will move all the eggs many times every day du...

Hi Dorothy, in the land of the yellow brick road! I didn't abandon your question. I was observing the thread, and seen you were receiving some very good advice. I know not about the house you have, I know they are very popular with martin hosts. The spare-O- door is perhaps the best house sparrow tr...

DottieL, Hello welcome to our forum, you could employ a Universal Sparrow Trap to start with, the PMCA Shop has them for $25.00. Sticky mouse Traps are a little messy, and are not a front line trap, more of a last choice. You will need to place a entry hole reducer on the entry hole, so as the PM's ...

PaulaNK, Hello welcome to our forum, it is not too late for anything! The next time PM's come for a look see at your place, I would not go out to greet them, they are a little apprehensive at first give them a chance to look over your housing . There will be plenty of time to talk to the birds later...

Hello Doug, Regarding the ten egg clutch, I think there are two clutches of eggs in that lot? I know that a Martin hen cannot incubate ten eggs. The hen will move each egg every day, many times; each egg stands a good chance of getting cold, I think the chances of any of those eggs hatching are slim...

Art, Don't pull the HOSP nest(s), place a hole size reducer on the entry hole, and just leave them alone! Once you see them coming and going in and out, you have it made. This is what I do, and it works ! Buy a fresh sticky mouse trap, take a box cuter and cut a 3/4inch strip off the new sticky trap...

Hello Russel, Welcome to the forum! I started my colony with a 12 room handmade house that had and still has round holes, all my housing has round holes, the martins don't mind. Starlings are not an issue at my colony so far. I put my first house up on may 23rd and had a pair the first day, that was...

Hi Diane, Martins often take a long time making their nest, socializing and getting into good condition for laying eggs ,incubation, and raising their young! It will all happen when they are ready, we all just have to wait! I like to garden so that helps me wait. The martins will begin to dive bomb ...