Purple Martin Forum

Just wondering: Is that departure any kind of early for you? Or about on time? I ask because ours (SE Texas) appear to have left 4-5 weeks early this year.

Experienced landlord in west Harris County, TX (Cypress). Normal occupancy and successful fledging, but both my colony and another across the lake were essentially vacant by June 27. Spring arrival was 7–10 days later than usual. Are other southeast Texas landlords seeing similarly early post-breedi...

We have been tending PM colonies for about 60 years now. We've religiously cleaned and tidied up our housing out at the end of each PM year - this year has been no different. Except: I believe that I have been the victim of dozens of mite bites. Each of these has turned into a welt that itches as ba...

Functionally , then, what's the difference between the PMCA WEPs and the Starling Stoppers? I see that the Stoppers have pre-drilled screw holes and cost more, and WEPs do not. This is a well-established colony (11 years), and it suffered its first EUST encroachment just last year - want to dissuad...

What are the salient differences between the PMCA WEPs and the Starling Stoppers for Conley II entrances? (In particular, for use with Troyer Horizontal gourds with Conly II entrances?)

Thanks!

I have just now seen discussions of using a Lewis Modification to Conley II entrances to reduce/eliminate EUST entry into PM nesting. (I know - where have I been all the years?) I have a few questions: 1. I have seen elsewhere of WEP modification kits are available, but they are not suitable for Tro...

Matt: AAMOF, I think this problem started manifesting itself when the SYs started showing up - or maybe a few weeks later. And yes, all our gourds are full. One of the SYs may, indeed, be our perp. We have neighbors a few blocks away that have had completely empty new rigs for a couple of years. Thi...

We have had a successful colony supporting 12 pairs for many years. Have had occasional jumpers in the heat of the Texas summer, but never this: Every day since birds have started hatching, we (or I should say, our dog) have found 1 or 2 dead, naked babies on the ground fairly near the housing. In o...

Thanks - exactly the info I was needing. Plus, you kept me from getting electrocuted and/or soaked this morning. :grin:

I am planning to mount a solar panel on a Troyer gourd rack.

The rack is already up and occupied, but I really would rather not be out in the electrical storm that's in this area at this time to measure the arms myself: Does anybody know what the diameter of Troyer gourd rack arms is?

Right, Zach. I will have no problem getting the video streamed to iPhone, iPad, or Windows PC. (Apple also, I guess - I'm not active in that space). And I'm willing to wait for VLC 3.0 to get the video ChromCasted to a smart Sony Bravia TV. As far as WiFi goes, I'm hoping the GoPro has enough oomph ...

Has anybody taken the plunge and installed a GoPro inside a gourd? I'm seriously considering stepping up to the task. We lived for years with a wired nestcam, but running wires, etc. out to the pole is a pain. Here's what I'm considering: 1. Adding an IR illuminator to a GoPro. Illuminator power wil...