Purple Martin Forum

Just to let everyone they back here Port Arthur, TX. Two males and female. Had about about six fly over this happen on Feb. 14. Will post pictures later.

Had four martins came in yesterday, two males and two females, so glad they here. Been a landlord for 18 years. I have one T-14 and four gourds.

Hi Mike, I have an old satellite aluminum sections (4), which is idea wo hold gourds. Would make a nice gourd rack. I would sale them.

You right as the old nest would hold moisture, could have bugs. I went ahead and removed the old nesting. Thanks may you a good season. Happy Martin Day

In the past I have clean out the old nesting from the gourds (4). I was thinking of leaving the nesting in them this season. My question is should I clean them out or leave them as is with old nesting from last season? Thanks

Dick, what PMCA has photos of the martin, starting from the egg to pipping egg to hatching day, each photo of the martin for 28 days. I bought from them, which comes with prognosticator to determine if your martin nestlings have fledged.

Dick, if you like I have a chart, that I can scan and e-mail it 2 U if you like

Stephen Thomas wrote:Nice pictures.

Thanks, Stephen, are you having a good season as well?

Well I have to say I had a good year, a lot Martin's. Per last season they didn't take to my T-14, this season was a good one they took the T-14 and the gourds went first. Am sorry to say I didn't do a nest this season, but this morning I counted over 20 Martin's

Emil Pampell-Tx wrote:Did you lower the rack to see if something was wrong?

Thanks for looking, Emil but no I didn't bring them down to check, they still going into the gourds are feeding the babies. I was thinking if I check them at this time, it may cause the babies to try getting out. I will continue to watch them.

I have 2 T-14 and four gourds, on June 14 about twenty or more were acting up all around the gourds. I took a video of them, check it out on www.youtube.com and search for martins acting up.

Hi, Melissa, OK you right it was on youtube, but I was thinking you was talking about this site. Did you have any martins last season? My first martin house went up in June of 1965. My best year I had 50 babies how many made it not sure. I enjoy watching coming making nest and them feeding the babie...

Hi Melissa, thanks I didn't know it was line last night. Sorry I had been working on it. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Have a nice day. Happy Martin too you.

Update on my martins, well I like to report that they have taken over the two T14's and the gourds. With my help six sparrow's have been trapped, three starlings and one rat. I feel I will have a good year. I will be checking next week for a count on eggs if any. I see that some are bring in materia...

Hello, James you right about the compartments aren't deep. I did build T-14 per plans but found that the starling liked them as well. These I build smaller, I have had luck with the size before I got the gourds. What do you think should I put owl guards on these T-14 as for as I know I have no probl...

Landlords, I am very happy to report that more have taken to the T-14, but will be watching later just as they come in for the night. Note picture of T-14 with martins taking apartments, also of the gourd martins watching whats going on. Also a picture of my Martin village. I have notices in the eve...

Well, Martin landlords, I have to report today I found that more of the Martin's have taken to the T-14. I'm going to repost with pictures. Thanks Happy Martins

Update on my T-14's versus gourds, looks like they going to take some of the apartments. I'm one happy camper as last season none went to the T-14's. However I painted both of them white.

This is the first year I haven't had white pine needles for pre-nesting material. The pine needles I collected this year seem stiffer and sharper. Before I put them in the gourds I crumpled them with my hands to soften them a little, but they still feel kind of sharp. Are they okay to use? Hi Kelly...

It's pretty typical for the martins to fill gourds first, then spill into the housing, at least in my experience. Painting the houses white should help, plus will keep nestlings a bit cooler. Have you considered hanging gourds right under the T-14s? A good way to expand and encourage exploration of...