Purple Martin Forum

My Coates house was a 12 unit from the start. Last yr. I opened up the party wall divider making the units 12" deep. Blocking off 6 entrances this makes it a 6 unit house. They seem to like the extra space, and I'm sure the nests are safer farther back. I have two pairs now and one single male....

Thanks for the responses. The next morning after starting this thread 5 martins arrived. They are still here today, singing and enjoying life. Now I am afraid to change the doors. Last yr. I had great success, after changing back to the round hole doors. Unlike last yr. these first birds appear to w...

I have a Coates 12 unit house. Last yr. I converted it to a 6 unit house giving the martins 12" depth to their house. I had my best success with that setup. Since blocking off 6 entrances do I still need the porch divider panel? The other side has the porch without door so I wondered if the bir...

I have a Coates house with the round holes. Last yr. I installed the crescent doors and many martins visited but all left. Not wanting to lose tenants I went back to the round hole doors and had martins quickly settle in. My house is up and ready now, although I've not sighted any martins yet. Saw a...

I can help as well I live just outside of Baton Rouge towards New Roads. In BR almost daily. If Mr. Gauthier isn't able, let me know. Jesse Knapp (225) 627-5892.

The house came out nice. Wood floor in the nesting room. Plugged the entrances with thin aluminum using latex caulk as the adhesive and to seal out water. I will measure the crescent doors, but I didn't use them. I don't have a lot of Starling problems here but do have Sparrow problems. As I said be...

Thank you Steve for this info. I have a 4" hole saw I plan to use to cut the hole. This will be easy for me to do. Just undecided about the crescent doors. I appreciate the info. Jesse

Thank you everyone. Steve. When you cut the 4" hole in the divider wall did you center the hole leaving 1" at the top and 1" at the bottom? In other words how much wall do I leave coming up from the floor? Also, what did you use for nesting trays? I have the tools to make these change...

Yes they are still 6"x 6" units. Honestly, the crescent doors look hardly big enough for these birds. I put the old round hole doors back on and have Martins staying the nights already. Sparrows as well. Actually last yrs. birds built their nests in a way that covered the bottom portion of...

Thanks for the replies.

Yes. Everything else is the same. No they are not staying the night. They perch, look around, then fly away. I have ideal conditions for Martins. Going to give it another day to see. Jesse

This is my third yr. It is a Coates 12 unit house on a telescoping pole. Last yr. I had 11 kids grow up there. Starlings and sparrows aside, I have had pretty good success. I should have some that stay by now. I know its the door openings. I can tell that, but I don't know if I should replace them w...

I bought the crescent doors.

I have installed these doors on my Coates house. I have had a few pairs of Martins stop, look over the house, then leave. Not sure how many have visited while I am at work. They won't go in the openings. Seems they don't like these new doors. Anyone have this problem? Any help would be appreciated. ...

Thanks all. I am going to modify the rails. There is that area where his head was caught that either needs to be opened up some or closed up. I do believe they had fought. I do have some ASY males that are pretty aggressive. Had one swoop down within 3 or 4 ft. of my head and fussing. I also know th...

Thanks. I do believe that is what happened here. The male/male fighting. It was just disturbing how its neck was bent over under the guard rails. I know I have to let them be, but it was painful for me to see one of them dead.

This morning I noticed more activity than usual. Much singing, jumping around, flying back and forth. Went to church at 11 am, then out to eat lunch. Got back home around 1:30 or so and a Martin was clinging to the edge of the porch of one unit. I noticed it didn't seem to move and looked odd the wa...

Mark. I did get the crescent doors. Just came in Sat. I don't know what to do just yet. Haven't seen any more starlings. Dropped the house down Fri. afternoon and to my surprise the nests have been rebuilt with two more added. Now total of five nests. I didn't see that many pairs. Would a pair build...

Thanks RC. I think that distance could be the problem. Shots fired this yr. have been at a closer range than last yr. I am much more accurate at longer range as well, but I am going to sight it in soon.

It's a pellet rifle with scope. Last yr. first seven shots got 5 sparrows and one starling. This yr. one sparrow from many shots. I am going to sight it in when this monsoon ends. Just don't know why its off. Been in the closet since last summer.