Purple Martin Forum

I use a PCP pellet rifle in 22 cal. If you go to the Pyramid Air website, they have reviews for most air rifles Usually the reviewer will say what pellet works best. Spring rifles are not as accurate as PCP ones. If there is no wind I can kill a sparrow at 40-45 yards, using a 22 grain pellet, using...

I am in the same boat as you. Last year was my first year as a landlord, with one SY pair fledging 4 new martins. This year, I have seen a few tree swallows, but no martins. I am growing concerned that I may need to start over this year.

Louise, Thank you for your nice comments. My first experience with martins, was when I was in scouts over 50 years ago. There was an active colony at a country store in a pretty isolated area. We built a martin complex with the old 6"x6" compartments and put it in an open area, that my dad...

Bill, Thanks for your response. I have another site in MD at Keysers Ridge, at 3000' in the mountains of western MD., so spring comes later. I only go over there every few weeks. I had a SY male on the gourd rack, when I was cutting grass, so I am keeping my fingers crossed for that place as well as...

I have three sites, each with a T-14 and gourd rack with 8 PMCA gourds . All have SREH. I had a few visitors last year, including three youngsters in late Aug, during their return migration. This year I had more visitors, but none stayed. I installed an outdoor speaker on the gourd rack at my home s...

I use a PCP( pre-charged pneumatic) pellet rifle to kill the sparrows. It is very quiet and deadly accurate with a scope. I shot about 50 of them last year and had martins landing on my T-14 without any harassment by mid-summer, but it was too late for them to nest. Check Pyramid Air to see the rifl...

After disposing of 60+ house sparrows during the summer, I had three immature martins land on my T-14 on Aug. 24th. They stayed for about 30 minutes then left . I assume they were in their migratory route. Hopefully one of them makes it back next year and I get my first pair. I wonder if anyone else...