Purple Martin Forum

This seasons end has been hard on me too. I'm slightly depressed from my birds leaving and today I winterized my 2 fishing boats and stored them for the season. I keep telling myself, come March and April of next year spirits will be high. GaryU

Friday after the storms, I went checked on my birds and all was well, they were putting on a show both flying and singing. Saturday morning about 8:00 I went up to listen to their songs and the housing was empty. I worked about the farm all day and no birds, watched at sunset, no birds, same for Sun...

Hi Dan,

I would wager that you are going to be in the landlord business next year. Use this time to improve your site and prep for next year, it's on. Good luck, I have a good feeling!

Gary

Hi Lee, I would move my present pole to the new site that is as far from trees as you can get. Put your new pole next to it separated by 12 to 15 feet. When your colony starts and you want to add a pole put the same distance apart (12-15') so the poles form a triangle. The more white housing that th...

What a year! Cold, windy, rainy, unpredictable weather patterns. Slow migration added even more angst. Then I had a mature male come then disappear and then a few (quite a few) days appear with a first year female. Well after 3 days of high winds and temps I show up at the homestead mid afternoon an...

Hi Jim, No problems with starlings, I have the starling resistant entrances and tunnels on both my T-14 and Troyer gourds. Sparrows are down this year, I have trapped heavy for the last 3 months and last summer. I'm just hoping that both populations continue to decrease. Thanks for your interest and...

Thanks for the nice replies. Hi, Okie, I had an awesome 2016, lots of good luck. I pray the remainder come home. Hi, Dan, I live in Hermitage and have our farm in Delaware Twp. over looking the Shenago Lake. God Bless you for the good work done at GJR. When ever you decide to venture back this way, ...

Prepped my T-14 and 18 gourd rack on Sunday 3/9/17 and raised them approximately 1:00 p.m. Fast forward to today, doing chores around the property, rolling 3 acres of lawn, arranging the shed, took a break at 6:45, an adult male shows up and enters a gourd. Yea, year 3 since my initial attempt and m...

I plan on lowering my T-14 and storing my gourds at the beginning of October. Glad to see that others have similar plans. I even find this ritual fun. What a great way of life.

Started out 2 years ago (summer 2014) planning and visiting Andrew and Adam Troyer many times and calling many times. Fall 2014, acquired Spanish cedar, made cut list and cut out the T-14. Winter 2015, built and painted T-14, Spring 2015, set pole, erected T-14. Hoisted T-14 up pole on Mother's Day,...

This is my first year, I have a T-14 wi8 gourds and not one nest in the gourds. I have plan on putting tunnels on for next season. I'm sure they will inhabit either and depends on what is available. I like Toyotas but if the price is right I will take a Ford too. Gary U Kill all house sparrow and st...

John, the sparrows are the problem. I'm trying to shoot, trap and make life tough on them. Any and all suggestions are welcome.

Gary U

Hi John, This is my first year. I have my T-14 near my pond with no tree for close to 100 yes. I am also thinking this is a good thing. When I started this project I was not aware of any close by colonies, but from a number of drives in near by areas (5 miles or so) I have noticed some active sites....

No luck this first year in Deleware Twp., PA. Had up to 3 couples looking on May 28, 29, 30. That was it until today. While cutting grass on my tractor ( under my T-14 with gourds, an adult male comes in flutters, looking in to the cavities. He stayed for about 1.5 hrs and then gone. I was trilled. ...

Hey Joe, I did the same thing as you about a week ago. This is my first year, had lookers on 5/28, 5/29, 5/30 then gone. Put up 8 Troyer verticals on my T-14 and have not seen a thing since 5/30. I'm still holding out hope. I do not think I have any other colonies in my area. Hope we both get lucky....

I really appreciate all of the 'local' info. I also appreciate any and all PM biology staples. Dan, I experienced the thrill of discovering my visitors and the disappointment of my guest leaving. Thanks for lending me that kind support. Bill, I have been enjoying your Pymie colonies for a few years,...

Thanks for the response Ed, I appreciate the info. This has been a wonderful learning experience for me. I hope to get a nesting pair this year. PM folks are very kind and helpful. Gary

First attempt at the PM housing. I have a farm in Mercer county PA, opened the T-14 on mother's day. Shot a few house sparrows but no PM's until May 28 th. I observed 3 couples of birds (sub adults) going in and out of compartments. The next day only a single male sub adult on the perches. This a.m....