Purple Martin Forum

Glad you found them! Up there on the Insect Highway!

http://boingboing.net/2010/09/23/the-in ... hways.html

Matt, a bunch of us were doing tunnel conversions on the nature lines and I think it was Brad that started first on the nature lines by being able to order just the backs of the gourds! Brad had a fellow I bought through that allowed us to buy the natureline gourd backs at a good price back then. Th...

Glynn, I use 3 poles. And my center yard pole is two mini castles on a mpp pole. A 2"steel pole with 8 gourds underneath! The martins love it and the mini castles and the gourds fill up first! If you plan a mpp pole for next year, keep in mind gourds underneath it, and plan using a strong pole!

In addition to the natural gourds I started out with nature lines. I never bothered with their entrances as it was at a time when they let us order two backs instead of a front. I tunneled them and used my entrances. I will say though that there not as heavy as the supergourds or as strong thickness...

Where your located, probably no subbies or just a few have made it up north this year so far! plenty of time to get a nesting pair and clearing out trees will help you allot! A few decoys and a dawnsong tape and you should be in good shape to attract some this year! If your getting visitors, you may...

Ron, I put out oyster shells the whole season for the martins. Thats usually the way the bag of shells come, some larger than others.Tried crushing them a few times but it's a mess!. found that if you just put them out the martins will pick through them for the ones they want. I usually scrape a bun...

I see this all the time also! get halfway in and back out. I agree to that the martin will eventually push through when it wants to. The only thing that would stop it could be insufficient grip inside and outside of the entrance. But if others are having no problem then this one should eventually go...

Highly effective! I like it Kathy! thanks for posting.

One thing I didn't see addressed here was the type of openings you have compared to what your other landlords are using. If their using all round holes, you may want to have some round also. Do you have any nesting tree swallows? they will be highly territorial of your site if you do, or other cavit...

Mark I leave my decoy's on all martin season. I have witnessed hawk attacks on them numerous times! You will need them decoys out there more than ever when young martins begin to fly!

Larry I'm in Coal City,IL . If you ever get down this way give me a yell!

Good to hear some are spending the night at your new location! looks like your about an hour or so north of me Larry.

Sounds like you have a Frequent Flyer there for sure!....Have a great season!

Happy to hear Bill! , again they were two weeks earlier than normal for me!..Looks like I may have 7 now or maybe more, will watch tonight!..I to watch the reports by other landlords and then watch wind and weather conditions! Hope you have a great year!

Looking at the strong winds we have today.30-40 mph . I will be looking for a good bunch of martins to get a free ride up here for Sun-Mon!Allot more birds should be moving North! Neighbors to the North , be on the lookout! You can hold your mouse pointer on the map and get wind velocities for that ...

I think before I would add more gourds I would put in another poll somewhere and possibly 30 yards if you can to the side of that one! as if moving it farther from the big tree. You say you lost 1, was that a pair of martins? also just as a suggestion I would get a few decoys on the rack if your exi...

Dave, sure sounds like it according to what Louise is saying also from the reports their seeing! Last year we would have had 3 weeks of low 80's during March, but my martins were still arriving at the 15 of April. This March has been so cold and below normal temps, and I've got a male and female in ...

Hoping this is your year! sure sounds like it! Good Luck!

Thanks Doug! I'ts been a great entrance opening for me! I designed it in 2006 and introduced it to the Martin Clubhouse about then. the idea was to reduce the shoulder opening on the starlings, less than the crescent. It is 3 1/2 " wide and 1/3/16" at the high center point. I use 3/4"...

Thanks Matt! I can only hope it warms up fast! I've got meal-worms ready if needed.