Purple Martin Forum

All, I have a heath I'v got to get rid of...martins like it but it is a nightmare. I like the modified Trio grandpa. However, I understand martins do not like drastic house changes from season to season, and while it is preferable to put up the new house one whole season prior, that is not an option...

Sharon, Dennis is right, they will use the round holes (mine did), they like them BUT make sure that next year you go with crescents. make no mistake, the starlings will destroy martins, you worked too hard. I hated to watch the anxiety when they try to enter, cant and freak out but they have to lea...

Sharon,
My humble new guy opinion? all of it, everything you did. very thoughtful, like the HOSP tactic. You made the environment a good one and over loaded their senses when they did show. Congrats!

Becky, Fingers crossed for you too! A Beautiful single ASY male appeared around our houses last few days too, hes just hanging around, doesn't have a female in tow. he doesn't seem to be interested in nest building, has inspected the gourds and house but just seems to like the company. He came by ve...

Barbiejoe, First, great job on those chicks! yeah great questions and ill want to see what the others say about what the parents do during hatching; Im new at this. Im just a day or so away from hatching the other eggs, missed the first set so didn't see a behavior change. What Iv noticed: The ones ...

Kyler,
that is a lot! Gotta echo those earlier-how much fun is it going to be watching very serious martin parents coming and going with food then when its time to take off...it will be memorable! that's great, 73 eggs!

Toy, Sorry, the weather has been horrible-I watch these storms march across the states and wonder how it affects the colonies north. feeding keeps them alive during lean times but boy, Id have thought they would have sat on the eggs! we have been socked with rain here too, watching mites close. Not ...

NMguy, 2016 was a bust for me, then 2017 came with a roar...I didn't want to cut the grass or make sudden moves for fear of driving them away but everyone and everything here indicates that outside a predator attack, the elements or bug infestation you will keep them. They do seem to like seeing my ...

Too funny, good start for the little martin farmer

Sharon, yours is a lesson to all of us, wanna be, new and old landlords alike; never give up, keep improving! Very happy for you and your martins, your very ready and those Martins will be spoiled rotten as they should be. That SY pair will get the message and settle down soon enough!
Tom

Good luck! all it takes is one set and the rest come. after reading how long some folks have waited, dont be discouraged, do everything right in your capabilities and its just a matter of time. keep at it for the young ones to look for a new place.

All, Great stuff! Cant thank you enough. winds and heat are two of my constant worry's; want to get past that. 2 rods coupled with the gas pipe support is a winner. was not aware of the weight difference between Trio and Heath. STILL want to add a gourd...just cant help it. will be judgmental though...

Kyler, thanks for the reply, sounds like the pole is pretty good even with the added weight...gourds....hmmmmmmm! good idea! My thought was to insert a rod to act as a core and backbone on the lower sections. don't want too much weight up top. Local scrap yard here has the rods, just need the dimens...

All, quick question; Getting rid of the Heath next year and going with the Trio Mini castle; will do the room/door SREH modifications, insulate the ceiling, etc.,...want something the current martins are familiar with vs a drastic change for a (hopeful) return, and make nest checks more manageable. ...

Thats great! Lucky you, those parents will be fun to watch coming and going; going to be a busy time for your colony. Thats fantastic, congrats!
Tom

Becky, give it a little bit BUT if those birds dont seem to like it and you think its the tree...lube that saw! Plant a tree in a park or something BUT....

Becky, Location is everything, however rules to the exception give us hope. there is a tree about 25 feet from the martin house; real close to them...I have zero alternatives...its not my tree or it would be gone. there is a guava tree about 10 feet high that I cut back as far as my wife would let m...

That's horrible, so sorry for you guys! Ground feeding, something's happened to their food supply to have them seek it out that way. If your not in drought, something pushed them to that behavior; maybe the spraying. I hope the rest make it!
Tom

I like the one that they make when they both tuck away in the home for the night or when they are both in there at the same time, sounds real content. I'm sure naughtiness is going on but they sound great! Sounds like they are saying: Yes dear, I did everything you asked today, I love you more, no, ...

great shot! i was at 20 feet with a starling, dead to rights...he was looking right at the martin house...hit the pearch he- was on. c[lea[n miss. blast it.