Purple Martin Forum

Very cool. When I retire in three years, I plan on putting up more. I only have around 25. Thanks for sharing! Btw when I took the three babies to the rehaber, I asked what was going to happen when they were ready to fly. She said she would have to find a colony that was still around, otherwise she ...

Wow! Not to get off the subject but you have quite the set up!!! Simply Awesome!! How do you keep up with all of your Martins?? Nest checking looks like an all day event. What percentage on an average do you fill your gourds in a season?

Emil, Can you share a picture of your pvc set up?

I can take a picture when I get back in town this weekend.. After I took the last of my three remaining babies to the rehab, I took the spikes off, so I could drop my gourds down with out using a ladder. My colony has left. The spikes I used ironically are bird spikes that are used to keep birds fro...

I did have a predator 36 inch baffle plus medal spikes 6 inches of pole extending out 12 inches. Never had a problem until this year. I guess I had some very hungry snakes that somehow made it past both. I had read the PVC was not effective so that I why I choose the baffle route. Next season, I wil...

Hi fellow Martin landlords, With all of the diversity our little Martins go through, it is amazing how many do survive. My season here in Texas started out a little rough with the cooler than normal temps and much rain as well as a good part of the US. I have had Martins for about 8 years now and I ...

Hi Penny, There are just people out there that are just clueless when it comes to what to do or not to do when it comes to animals. It never ceases to amaze me. I live in the DFW area and have taken many of birds to your rehab facility and always make a point to support Rogers who counts on donation...

Has anyone used Diatomaceous earth for parasite control instead of nest replacement? How effective is it vs nest replacement? There is a kind that is actually used for a supplement internally for animals and people :!: Can this be used on the bodies of baby martins? From what I have read, it is comp...

Louise, if it is not too much trouble to find that article, I will give it a shot. Laverne, how long did your camera last? Do you still have one?

I went ahead and ordered, received from PMCA and installed, thanks to Keith and Louise's suggestions, a nest cam in my bo 11 gourd. I attached it to my access lid. The field of vision on the camera appears to be designed for a bigger distance away from the nest. All I can see is the top of the Marti...

OOps you answered that already. Thanks Keith.

Awesome instruction by your husband. Thanks for sharing.

Keith, Where did you actually mount the camera in the BO 11? Was it at the top or on the lid?

Hi Louise, How do you run the cable without drilling a hole in the gourd? I have Bo 11 with cooling caps while the opening on the top is large enough to accommodate the cable the gap between the cooling cap and the gourd is not.

I was kinda thinking unless you drilled all the way through to the otherside, would a short bolt be as effective? With the screw driver it angles downward to hold in place. I guess the weight of the pole would hold the shorter bolt in just fine. Thanks for the advise.

Hello everyone,

I really would like to get a nest cam for my gourds this year but cannot decide on wireless or cable. Wireless is a lot easier but I have heard it does not picture that well in comparison to the cable.

Has anyone had any experience with either type?

Lisa

I have had a quad pole for four years and have had issues with the plastic inserts. Overtime, they just weakened and break. I thought about the bolts but did not go that route cause it makes it more difficult to lower the pole. What I did, although not ascetically pleasing, I used a screw driver in ...

Thanks everyone for you feedback. it really helps to know what has worked in the past. The comments all make sense. It does appear that the consensus is between 10 and 15 feet apart depending on the size of your housing. Good luck to everyone on a prosperous Martin season and thanks again!

Lisa

First post as I am brand new to the forum. Great forum by the way. I am entering into my 4th season and am wanting to expand my housing. I currently have a pole of 6 Bo 11 gourds with the wind tunnels and cooling caps and a pole with a winch system about 20 feet a way with Hertiage Farm Pod housing....