Purple Martin Forum

My money is on sparrows! I've had the same problem at Lake Buchanan and it's always sparrows. I use a trap under my gourds that I purchased on this site-highly recommend it! I get catch them regularly which controls the problem until the next male sparrow locates a gourd. A pellet gun works too if y...

Hi Annie, I have gourds up at Lake Buchanan and we have not seen any birds yet. They seem to arrive later in the spring here every year, late April even when they're already around Austin area now. Go figure.
Rick

Can you take a photo and post it? Might help
My gourd rack is close to that length but it's supported in the middle on the pole making each side closer to 14-18 inches

Saw two pair yesterday
Already have three HOSP males in my traps! Highly recommend the sparrow traps sold through PMCA
Rick

I agree, go with crescent-those starling will find you eventually
Good luck
Rick

I did get the trap and have nailed over a dozen. I have a great pellet rifle scoped in and that works well too. I'm on a lake in a rural area but have a crazy neighbor a couple doors down who calls the sheriff! That was when I was using a 22, so with the pellet rifle, I've compromised. We now have f...

Thank you-I just bought at PMCA

Well, on March 24 two pairs arrived for my 12 gourds and I took the entrance clip off when I saw these welcome folks. Then sparrows came out of the bushes and chased the Martins off. A day later I'm back (I do not live here so it's every other day), and I checked the gourds-pulled three full sparrow...

That's assume! I feel the same way, awaiting the arrivals!

Does anyone know if the martins are gathering in Austin at highland mall area yet? Mine have departed lake Buchanan. On July 13 I counted 30 martins at my 6 gourds on the lake then last weekend I had two!
Rick

What type of trap? Can you include a description or photo?
Thanks
Rick

Sunday I saw the first Martin paire arrive at Lake Buchanon, Texas (seems late but last year it was April 17). I have gourds up and they landed on top. I then put up two 12 slot houses right away. I came back the next day, since I don't live there and saw the male Martin on the house perch next to a...

RT
I'm down on Lake Buchanan, 45 miles northwest of Austin and I have yet to see the martins this year. Hang in there! I'm about to go on a sparrow tear however! They are everywhere-in past years they've shared the housing but this year I'm trying to eliminate the competition!