Purple Martin Forum

Best of luck Dooner. We are in a similar situation to you. We hosted one pair last year ,after several years of trying and they raised and fledged 2 chicks. The first martins returned to our area in central PA around the end of March. We didn’t see our first martin until May 12. An ASY male. I have ...

http://www.npr.org/sections/krulwich/20 ... u-cant-see

Phil, you got me testing my memory and had to look this up. This was posted by Craig Dyer about 10 years ago. Maybe this is where they martins disappear to ???

I bet that was a relief!!

With so many ‘good’ birds around, I would be hesitant to use the glue boards. If you cannot trap or shoot or eliminate the sparrows by any means, and they lay eggs, I would poke a pin hole in each egg and leave them in the nest. They will not hatch, but the sparrows will sit on them for weeks. And a...

We are located in central PA and helped raise 2 healthy chicks from one pair last year. The first Martin that returned to a well established colony about 4 miles away from us, was on March 29 this year. And there are now lots of martins there. As I wait for martins to hopefully return to ours, I’m w...

I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Your housing changed while the birds were gone. I’m thinking they will adapt and not miss a wing beat! Looks like a great spot.

I have been known to open a box that had sparrow eggs inside. Ever so gently I would pull each egg out. And it just so happened that I had a safety pin in my pocket. I poked a tiny hole in each. They will never hatch, but the sparrows would continue to incubate them. This could buy you some time til...

Congrats on such a successful first year. I had one SY last year(our first after 11 years of trying). We are in central PA. You have more experience than me and I’m sure others will chime in. I was advised to play the dawn song and chatter even when the martins were here last year. I did so until th...

I’ve had a recent influx of HS here in central PA after missing a couple, I had to slightly adjust the scope. 3 males eliminated since. Still 6-8 weeks away from martins arriving here, but never too early to make them safer!

That would be quite a dilemma. We have discussed downsizing as well, but after attracting my first pair last year, that is off the table! I hope whoever purchases your home realizes how fortunate they are to ‘inherit’ such a large colony.

They know a good thing when they have it! We heard several high over head last Wednesday, but none since. Enjoy them while you can. March/April is so far away(for PA landlords)

Congratulations! For us newbies, the first couple fledged is so exciting. As you grow, I hope it doesn’t turn into ‘work’. I think I would deal with those sparrows. They will eventually compete, and probably win, against your martins. We successfully fledged two for the first time ever after 11 year...

We have been doing nest checks every 3 days or so. And all was good. But on Friday, when I lifted up the nest material, blowflies!! About 25. Some close to 1/2 inch long. Nest was just a little wet near the back. But thanks to you guys, I was prepared. I cleaned out the nest tray. Wiped it out with ...

Hey Doug. Did your early eggs hatch? I know of a landlord about 6 miles away. He has a full 18 gourd rack. Only one SY pair. But his egg count only averaged 2.5 per cavity.

Good job! I’m in that club too! I recently installed an electric guard. (Thanks Thomabear). And although I can’t say with any certainty that the four foot black snake attempted to climb my post, it was lying dead next to the road. No doubt run over by a vehicle. Only 50 feet from the house and post!

So much to learn. Thanks for the replies. Both chicks looked good today, and nest is dry and no sign of any parasites.

Thanks Tom. I have read that I should do a nest change when the chicks are ten days old. Is that correct, or do I only do that if I see signs of parasites or a wet nest?

I will be doing a nest change in another week. (First time). Do you guys put the same green leaves back in nest, put in new ones that you pick, or just add nesting materials. I have some white pine needles and straw and wood chips available. Thanks.

I completely understand the frustration. I have seen the same BB behavior in the past years. This year, the blue birds went to the neighbors yard despite our houses being out. I guess the tree swallows had taken possession of all them. The pair of SY’s that claimed our Martin house were a bit aggres...

Our hatch date coincided with the PMCA’s web cam, which lets us see the progress of our two eggs. Early this morning, I saw one of the parents fly out with something white in its mouth! And a few hours later while mowing under the house, I saw half a white egg shell . Almost fell off the mower! But ...