Purple Martin Forum

I can understand why you wouldn't want to move! It took me 5 years to get the first pair. Never thought I would be moving but hopefully may move to a house where I can try to start another colony. Good luck this year!

Hi...just wanted to post on here that we are selling our house where we have established 60+ pairs of martins over the years in Central PA. I have the martins trained to eat mealworms from a platform when I whistle. I am adding the link to our home. Thanks, Hunter Hart https://matrix.brightmls.com/m...

Hi Toy, yesterday was a great day...I believed you had asked me in the past about our peacock we had that roosted on our chimney. He passed away last fall. We were devastated. He lived with us for about 12 years. We bought another one around Christmas, and he is enjoying hanging out with our turkeys...

Last evening, I had 5 purple martins show up at my house in the southern end of Huntingdon County. I was sitting by our pond when 3 barn swallows flew by and started drinking out of the pond. I couldn't believe it. Two weeks ago we were plowing snow! Martins are fighting over gourds at our school co...

Yes, they are. I sure hope you get martins this year, Dan.

Hi everyone! At our elementary school in Juniata County, PA, we have been watching 2 tree swallows all morning. My students are eagerly looking forward to the martins arriving. We have added another 12 gourd rack this year....since we were at full capacity last year. Also, we had 9 eggs in one nest ...

We have a 12 gourd rack at my elementary school in central PA. I was watching all of the posts about the martins not coming back, and my students and I were seeing the same thing here. However, overnight they must have poured in. We had 5 for about a week....and we just counted at least 15 at lunch ...

That is amazing. Thanks for sharing and great pictures! -Hunter in central PA

That's great! Two have returned to our school but none to my house, yet. My class likes reading about how you care for your martins. Have a great year! -Hunter in central PA

I predict a whole class of future PM landlords. Great teacher. The kids are really excited about the martins. So many of them want to put up houses/gourd racks at their homes, but a lot of my students live in wooded areas. We just had a female show up this morning! We also must have at least 20 tre...

My fifth grade started our Monday morning off great! A beautiful male was sitting on the gourd rack chirping away. Hopefully, they can focus for the state tests...which start tomorrow! I still wish there was a state test on bird watching. Ha

In the middle of math class this morning, we looked out the window and there were two tree swallows flying around. I know they are tough, but I hope they are ready for the next few days of rough weather. Dan G in Bellefonte...I know you always wonder when they come back to our area! Hope you get mar...

I know this is off topic, but with a scattered bunch like we are I thought this to be a good way to survey what I see as a great concern. Has anyone noticed a change in the number of these birds that you hear at night. I know in my case here in Florida few if any are heard anymore. They have to be ...

EXCELLENT! So happy to read that you are getting the young generation interested in purple martins and other birds. I am trying to do my best. There is so much to be learned from nature. My students all live in a very rural setting. I am trying to instill in them to appreciate wildlife and learn no...

HunterH, Congratulations! As far as grammar, I think their is a good chance that everyone makes that mistake at one time or another even when they no better! :lol: - Judy Thanks you guys! You all have a good sense of humor on this forum. My fifth graders really like that people respond to our posts.

Unfortunately, i dont think the Hanover egg is going to hatch, but 2 of 3 decorah eggs hatched. Dan G, I got home from school last night, and I had a female martin at my gourd rack. I think it is the original female from 2 years ago, because she kept going in the same gourd she has nested in the pa...

Congrats. I was waiting to 'here' from you. (I'm not a teacher) :grin: Are the TS there as well? Speaking of eagles, has your class ever watched the decorah eagles live cam on line? Very informative and several classes watch and join in the chat discussion that goes on. Dan G, That's a good one! We...

Sorry....I am a teacher and have to correct my post..."their" should have been "there." I guess I was too excited to proofread.

My class was just finishing their 3rd day of state testing, when I looked out the window and their was an ASY male soaring around the gourd rack. The kids are so excited. It's funny how each year it is an incredible feeling when you see the first one. As we were watching him....a bald eagle flew ove...

Other places would be cheaper, but in a pinch, PetCO in state college has live crickets. Small,Medium or large for 16 cents each. I think the online stores are much cheaper. BTW, did your tree swallows arrive at the school yet? If memory serves me right, you teach in Juniata County. Keep me posted ...