A little advise

Welcome to the internet's gathering place for Purple Martin enthusiasts
Post Reply
orbit1
Posts: 51
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 8:18 pm
Location: Ohio/Columbia Station
Martin Colony History: I have had housing up at my residence since 2000. I added some additional housing and gourds in 2007, and I have been getting purple Martins in my houses and gourds ever since that time.

I'm hoping that the seasoned PM landlords can help me with this question. I had a subadult male at my house everyday, for about 2.5 weeks. He was protecting the house and trying to attact females. It looked like he had found a female about a week ago, and I watched them starting to bring nesting material to the house. They were both staying in the house at night, and then all of a sudden, I just saw him again (by himself). Now, if I do see him, he comes in the afternoon and throught the day but only to perch and preen. Do I still have a chance this year? Would he come back next year? Any advise would be appreciated, since this is very discouraging. I have been waiting about 9 - 10 years for this to happen, it looks like it's going to and then it stops again.

Thanks,

Dave :cry: :-(
Dave Kunath
Columbia Station, Ohio
Top
John Miller
Posts: 4863
Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 9:11 pm
Location: St. Louis, MO

It can be frustrating to get this close. Are you sure the female is gone. Have you done a nest checks for eggs?

There have been martins fledged in Michigan I think in early Sept., but probably rare. About the latest fledges occur in mid August in Missouri, and probably Ohio. For mid August fledgling, incubation would have to begin by July 1...(hatching July 15 and fledging Aug. 15). So, you may have another week or so for this guy to find a mate.

I have a lonely guy at one unoccupied house in St. Louis at a public site...he has been there for a month at least and even built a few fine nests. I'm hopeful with this kind of determination, he will return next year as an ASY male.

You are a day's drive from Erie. Plan to go see the big roost there in August one evening. The folks at the PMCA will show it to you. It's absoluting awe inspiring.

John M
Top
Emil Pampell-Tx
Posts: 6743
Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:26 pm
Location: Tx, Richmond (SW of Houston)
Martin Colony History: First started in Gretna, La in 1969 with a small homemade house, have had martins ever since at 2 different homes in Texas

Maybe a hawk or owl bothered the martins. Early harassment by these predators will cause the martins to leave before they lay eggs. Its not normal for them to leave after they start nest building, so something probably ran them off. Good luck anyway, maybe you will still attract some.
Top
orbit1
Posts: 51
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 8:18 pm
Location: Ohio/Columbia Station
Martin Colony History: I have had housing up at my residence since 2000. I added some additional housing and gourds in 2007, and I have been getting purple Martins in my houses and gourds ever since that time.

I still have the male show up and spend time at the T-14, but not as often as he had in the past two weeks. I have checked the two nesting boxes where I saw them, and there is the start of two nests, but no green leaves. I guess I'll have to wait it out. I haven't had a problem with sparrows or starlings since I've shot many of them. I think they got the hint to stay away. As far as Hawks and other predators, We have hawks but never had any come close to us, plus there are plenty of rabbits that are hopping around on open grassy areas. Thanks for the input, I'll keep watching.

Thanks,

Dave
Dave Kunath
Columbia Station, Ohio
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Purple Martin Forum”