Purple Martin Forum

I still to this day use sevin powder in the spring when building my nest. I first add cedar shavings to my super gourd then add 1/4 tsp of sevin spread evenly over the cedar shavings then I add more cedar shavings on top. I have been doing this for so many years I cannot remember when I started doin...

I have been providing Purple Martins housing for 58 years and at times multiple locations. I remember only one time that a pair lost their young nestlings for an unknown reason and built a new nest in a different gourd, laid 6 eggs and successfully had them fledged. I seem to remember that the eggs ...

More than 10 years ago I installed a S&S controller repeating trap, and is the best thing I have done to help the PM's. Usually starting in very late February thru May I can fill a 5 gallon bucket each week with starlings and sometimes more often. Of course it does not help that I have 10 acres ...

Many years ago we had one of these cold spells in NW Ohio, at that time we had a stable with horses in each stall, one day in April it was extremely windy with several inches of snow on the ground. At 2:00 ish in the afternoon just before work I went out to throw some hay to the horses, one top of a...

I have been providing housing for PM's for 57 years and here in NW Ohio I have seen them as early as March 17th and as late as April 19th on arrival. I agree with many that the unusual late springs are causing some of this and I also believe the goofy sun spots and or sun solar flares and messing up...

I have been providing housing for PM's for 57 years and here in NW Ohio I have seen them as early as March 17th and as late as April 19th on arrival. I agree with many that the unusual late springs are causing some of this and I also believe the goofy sun spots and or sun solar flares and messing up...

It is my understanding that may happen! We are now over 4" and still blowing and raining. I live on the banks of the Toussaint and it is flooding low areas now and rising fast!
I will still keep the flood lights on all night just in case the GHO decides to pay a visit.

NO! It has been pour rain and blowing hard all day, nearing 3.5" rain! maybe tomorrow will be better? It is coming off Lake Erie and is a bad storm!

a high intensity flash sure would get a startling response! I used the flood light last night for at least a one night break in the GHO action. I am looking for a temporary fix for the nesting season and then I will build a more permanent cage or protection at the end of the season for next year. To...

Kathy, Has the method that you used in picture 8/8 green rods protecting guards worked well in the long run. This appears interesting and if it was successful I may try to duplicate it as a quick fix, while we are in PM nesting season. Bill ps: last night I added a 150 watt flood light and it appear...

For tonight and the next few nights I plan on putting on flood lights to the SG's & polls. planning on adding both Nite Lite Guard and cages. This GH owl just showed up 3 nights ago and is wreaking havoc nightly. Some how got to break the cycle of his attendance. I now have 19 youngsters with no...

Has anyone tried the Nite Guard solar LED strobe light as an anti OWL repellant? I am now having nightly GH Owl attacks and they have destroyed two super gourds.
http://shop.niteguard.com/collections/all

I have one that I put up several years ago, last March I filled a 5 gallon bucket each week with Starlings, of course the woods south of my pasture & pond helped in the supply of Starlings. In 7 or so years I have only caught one male martin a SY during late June in 2012. I have it next to my ba...

Hello Bill

Glad your martins are back, mine arrived on the 8th. I will put up additional super gourds tomorrow. I am having house sparrow problems this year.

Bill

Tom It started out as a Boy Scout merit badge project, as I recall it was supposed to be a blue bird house, but I built a 16 room purple martin house instead. That was 43 years ago, that I put up the house at my parents home, and I maintained it for 25 years at that location, plus maintaining PM hou...

I have had martins lay eggs in the second week of July, the pair and 5 fledglings were here into mid September before they departed, though it is rare.
Bill

Here in northern Ohio corn stalks parts seems to be used the most, though also white pine needles, birch tree bark, straw, sticks, twigs, and white pine shavings (horse manure pile). Also mud, gravel, pebbles from the beach and with cherry tree and plum tree leaves for the lining of the nest. Mostly...

Several years ago I purchased a swimming pool cleaning net with a handle that is extendable. It is very light weight and adjust to various lengths quite easy. I purchased it at a swimming pool supply store, but have seen the same exact pole at Home Depot and a few other places. It works great when a...

You could go to Home Depot or Lowes and get a sonotube in the mortor and cement section. Dig your hole in the lake bottom and then put the tube down into the lake bottom securely and pour your concrete into it. be sure to cut it off at the desired elevation before pouring concrete into it.
Bill

Author Message TexasWhaler I have added several WDC and excluder II openings by Sandy this spring to my gourds which are 100% crescent type entrances. The early arriving ASY male martins would not enter these nor would any of the early ASY females. Later arriving ASY females took an immediate intere...