Purple Martin Forum

Thank you! That is how I started with another passion w/butterflies and my hubby has now on Milkweed patrol; all of nature is in flux; If you go to Monarch Watch, there are shocking numbers about the reduction of butterfly migration; I have seen similar numbers about PMs...let's hope this isn't a tr...

Good for you, enjoy those sweet tweets ( not on smart phones, lol) I am looking forward to a good Martin season for all...unlike the Monarchs...they are struggling...I have a Monarch Watch Station...they do well here since the thought is there are "Resident Monarchs" I would hope there wou...

James, you have stayed with keeping the Martin houses going; I can understand how it can be discouraging when you move from one area to another; hang in there and it's not how many Martins you have, it's you have Martins...mine have cycled through once(the Martins lived their life cycle) and now hav...

Our site also, went from 1 on 1/24 to 8 today; beautiful weather and they are already staking out the area!

That is great! I've been tempted to use hand warmers for my Martins this year, we've had some very cold nights and days also; for our area...I have hand warmers, do you use them? Just wondering if pine straw is warm enough; been having Martins for years; but seems this year is unpredictable w/cold B...

I sighted the first ASY Male of the year this evening around 6:15; I saw a shadow in the setting sun from the SW; to me there was no mistaking the form, Purple Martin, they are larger than tree swallows; however, to make sure, I left our Lanai and walked toward the site; he came back and forth high ...

Sure wish it would be a bit of nip in the air...we like seasonal changes here in SWFL also; however, this is the week we unpack our Super Gourds, make sure they are clean, put some pine straw in them, repaint the numbers on gourds, put them on the racks and wait for the first chirp...in the past we'...

I have the same here; the last fledged 6/3, which was great since TS Andrea was around; I noticed the last gourd to fledge they did hurry them out; since more calm weather, Martins have been showing off their former houses; fledged 70...

I noticed alot of nest building and thought be a good time to bring down the SGs and check to see the progress...I had a suspicion there have been alot of territorial fights with Males...there is a different sound when they are just chatting or the "screams" of one being bullied...so I did...

James, so glad for your Martins; it sometimes takes awhile for a colony to get together, but you have persisted and it will pay off...never give up on the Martins...the environment is changing and the Martins are trying to do what they try to do best...survive!

James, we have had hawks trying for a quick snack and our decoy was targeted...you could see the talons and hear the "clunk"...that was one surprised hawk BTW the Martins and Doves had taken off just a second before the attack...if you can put up a decoy it may help

James, I have an established site and my Martins left for a few days a couple of weeks ago; when they returned the Alpha male brought 10 more with him and his "girlfriend"; don't give up my friend; nature has her way, but you are helping the Purple Martins by just trying...if you don't hav...

For all who haven't check the Scout Arrival Page; I heard a ASY Male yesterday AM; then an hour later his girlfriend was with him; they seem so cautious this year, spooked by the decoy, careful about approaching the site; could an event traumatized them? Lots of storms this past season; the female i...

Congrats!!!! So happy you have Scout; still looking and waiting to hear the Martin tweet...My mom had Martins and then two days ago they left and haven't been back...strange behavior, since most Martins are dedicated to their sites...will help her monitor

My mom, Marge Ottoway, had her Martins come in this morning; she was so excited i thought she was going go through the roof! She is 5 miles west of me; we go back and forth each year with whose arrive first...at least she put the speaker phone on so I could hear the Martin song! Listening for our Ma...

Steve, my site has different arrival times; seems to go in a pattern; I believe because the older ones die after a few years (those who come early) and the newer ones take time to get their act together and mature. Just my thoughts...hope your Martin has his feathers fluffed up...been cold out!

Congrats!!! I had a feeling with this frontal passage we might get a few more sightings...hope you have a great season!

Gourds are up, pine strawed and ready in case our Scout comes in before the cold front; we are having warm then cold weather; then recycles in that pattern for a few days...good luck, and keep listening and looking up!

Our gourds go up 12/21 and the first I've had is on Christmas; hope to see our Scouts soon...good season to all: we love the Purple Martins, I just think we might be hoping for the birds to come too soon...we shall see

I think these are corn or rat snakes...although we've spotted just a few water snakes in the water...I worry about Fisheating Crows more than any others...even hawks...Marsha