Purple Martin Forum

my gourds are vented , but maybe need more.they have the additional white cap on top.i think the drainage holes got plugged. ill check for that next year .
I was so worried about the house because it didn't seem to have enough drainage and they did good.
I might have to add more air vents?

sent a reply but it didn't go through I must have pushed the wrong button. I did clean the birds we used 1 bottle of water per bird my friend just trickled it on the bird while I held it.the water was brown.i really debated if I should or not but after seeing the results the next day i'm glad I did ...

dirty stinky martins
one of my babies jumped out of the gourd I had given all clean nest material 2 times, I didn't think they would need it again

I think because of the rain they all got wet and their are 5 of them they are filthy . My ? is should I take them out and clean them?

beautiful babies ☺☺☺! feel proud!

ok thanks mary

I did my nest check gourds looked good . The house wasn't , the nest that got attacked still had the eggs in it but the bottom was damp so i did a nest change jut because it was so wet not sure if they were even going back in because a brand new nest was built above it. i took out the nest in the go...

I do have a picture of the martin and eggs ? didn't know if i should post it??

thanks John good info☺

which one did you make Sharon?

thank you Ed
i think ill just put some needles under them with out touching the eggs
didn't know touching them would kill embryo.
I love this forum lots to learn and every ones so helpful

more pics

still just eggs!

gourds house and sparrow trap

my gourds and house

I dont want to up set them if i don't have to!

im going to make a trap for starling too now thank you Dorn county
what do they like to eat i know sparrows like bread what did you use for bait?

Storm coming gourds have been drying out good but house with hay nests seemed moist would it be ok to put some dry pine needles under the nest for air or can a person replace some of the hay with dry pine needles??
gourds have hay nests but better ventilation!

Tammy K, it sounds like you had a Sparrow attack. A hawk could not have got into your nesting cavity. The Sparrows will, and will corner the PM in the cavity and kill them (you will probably notice the top of the head of the PM being pecked in). The Sparrows wil also peck holes in the eggs. You hav...

good info Kathy!

thank you Sharon