Information for Landlords
It's been a while since I've been to the forum so maybe it's here and i just can't find it. Several years ago, i could have sworn there was an article someone wrote that was perfect for giving to landlords with unmanaged sites that was very educational on the care and maintenance of them. I looked through the archives but didn't see it. I saw the 12 Reasons and 10 Reasons but that's not the ones i'm looking for. Anybody know what i might be after. i guess i could be a little more vague couldn't i. LOL.
Steve Smith
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Frank Hargis-IL
- Posts: 121
- Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2003 5:22 pm
- Location: Illinois/Flora
Maybe this is it? http://www.purplemartin.org/downloads/PDemolition.pdf
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Frank Hargis-IL
- Posts: 121
- Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2003 5:22 pm
- Location: Illinois/Flora
Yes it's in the archives under Starling Resistant Entrance Holes (SREH's)
about 2/3 the way down.
And you're quite welcome.
Frank
about 2/3 the way down.
And you're quite welcome.
Frank
I must respectfully disagree with the contents of that letter, at least for Texas and probably for all of the Southern States.
This opinion is not based upon conjecture but upon more than 20 years experience as a very active bird watcher here in San Antonio, and five years of systematic observations here in this city.
Starling and Sparrow Populations
In our area the fraction of homeowners with any sort of martin housing up varies between a high of one in eighty residences in some neighborhoods to far less than one in one hundred properties in others (mostly new neighborhoods with HOA restrictions).
Starlings and sparrow populations are at high levels, probably saturation levels all across this city. It is doubtful that removing even all of the neglected martin housing would have any meaningful effect on that population .
Where Most Southern Martins are Breeding
After an exhaustive effort, every street within a four mile radius of the school was checked for the presence of martin housing, no matter how old or decrepit. As of 2008, 227 locations were identified, almost all of which were infested with sparrows and, less often, starlings.
Based upon estimated annual loss rates, I would guess about 200 of these housing sites are still up.
Each year over five years between 61 and 112 of these neglected sites were observed for occupancy by martins, at least 50% were occupied by martins, breeding alongside sparrows.
Based upon an observed average "colony" size of around three to four pairs of martins at each occupied site, we estimate that at least NINETY PERCENT of the local martin population (close to 400 pairs) is breeding in housing that looks just awful.
Systematic nest checks on sparrow-infested neglected housing revealed that about one third of eggs and young in at these sites were lost (as opposed to about 10% at our maintained colony), but young martins ARE being produced, especially given the martins' ability, like every other wild songbird, to renest and try again upon the loss of a clutch or young brood.
The fact that Purple Martins can do this is the ONLY reason why they remain a common bird all across the South, we responsible landlords are far too thin on the ground.
If we removed all of the neglected martin housing sites in our area, we estimate the local martin population would crash by at least 90%
(the remaining 10% being the 40 pairs here at school).
No reason why the same isn't true in College Station.
Mike Scully
This opinion is not based upon conjecture but upon more than 20 years experience as a very active bird watcher here in San Antonio, and five years of systematic observations here in this city.
Starling and Sparrow Populations
In our area the fraction of homeowners with any sort of martin housing up varies between a high of one in eighty residences in some neighborhoods to far less than one in one hundred properties in others (mostly new neighborhoods with HOA restrictions).
Starlings and sparrow populations are at high levels, probably saturation levels all across this city. It is doubtful that removing even all of the neglected martin housing would have any meaningful effect on that population .
Where Most Southern Martins are Breeding
After an exhaustive effort, every street within a four mile radius of the school was checked for the presence of martin housing, no matter how old or decrepit. As of 2008, 227 locations were identified, almost all of which were infested with sparrows and, less often, starlings.
Based upon estimated annual loss rates, I would guess about 200 of these housing sites are still up.
Each year over five years between 61 and 112 of these neglected sites were observed for occupancy by martins, at least 50% were occupied by martins, breeding alongside sparrows.
Based upon an observed average "colony" size of around three to four pairs of martins at each occupied site, we estimate that at least NINETY PERCENT of the local martin population (close to 400 pairs) is breeding in housing that looks just awful.
Systematic nest checks on sparrow-infested neglected housing revealed that about one third of eggs and young in at these sites were lost (as opposed to about 10% at our maintained colony), but young martins ARE being produced, especially given the martins' ability, like every other wild songbird, to renest and try again upon the loss of a clutch or young brood.
The fact that Purple Martins can do this is the ONLY reason why they remain a common bird all across the South, we responsible landlords are far too thin on the ground.
If we removed all of the neglected martin housing sites in our area, we estimate the local martin population would crash by at least 90%
(the remaining 10% being the 40 pairs here at school).
No reason why the same isn't true in College Station.
Mike Scully
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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
Scully, you may disagree with the letter, but I would rather try something than to do nothing. I just refuse to give in with your findings and agree with you on that. That would make me feel bad to ignore the facts that S&S are a problem, and quit trying. Change is never easy, but we must start somewhere. There will be many setbacks I am sure, but its still worth trying to change things and not just GIVE UP! I just don't want to be a quitter. If I get my printer going, I will try to print some of them and use them.
PMCA Member, 250 gourds, 6 poles, 2traps
Greetings,
I think that in Scully's case, those are old established houses that the martins return to as they raised families there before and refuse to be ousted by S&S even when outnumbered.
Not perfect or even good by some standards but still producing offspring which helps the bottom line altho the S&S are increasing also.
The ones that should be targeted by the pamphlet are the houses that never have and never will contain martins, and are just a haven for S&S.
I hate and aggressively hunt S&S at my site and understand how you feel Emil.
As I look around the countryside where I live, I see the decline in housing most places but still see a few dedicated landlords working to better the species.
30 years ago, you would see martin mansions all around.
Now, they are few and far between.
I think that in Scully's case, those are old established houses that the martins return to as they raised families there before and refuse to be ousted by S&S even when outnumbered.
Not perfect or even good by some standards but still producing offspring which helps the bottom line altho the S&S are increasing also.
The ones that should be targeted by the pamphlet are the houses that never have and never will contain martins, and are just a haven for S&S.
I hate and aggressively hunt S&S at my site and understand how you feel Emil.
As I look around the countryside where I live, I see the decline in housing most places but still see a few dedicated landlords working to better the species.
30 years ago, you would see martin mansions all around.
Now, they are few and far between.
Cheers,
Joe
2015 - 40 cavities - 37 pair - fledged 172
2016 - 40 cavities - 38 pair - fledged 192
Hosting Purple Martins since 1976...Managing since 2006.
Joe
2015 - 40 cavities - 37 pair - fledged 172
2016 - 40 cavities - 38 pair - fledged 192
Hosting Purple Martins since 1976...Managing since 2006.
Emil,
It ain't about giving up, its about teaching.
I would start that letter with....
THANK YOU for putting up a purple martin house, without people like you and millions of caring folk like yourself this beautiful bird would not exist in aywhere near the number that we enjoy today.
You may have noticed however that in recent years you have not had beautiful purple martins in your house....
I ain't kidding about the "thank you" part, even a basic inexpensive martin set up can run about $100, alot to ask of a lot of folks.
Also, most alarming of all, there has been about 30% reduction of the total amount of martin housing in my area over just a five year period, even allowing for the new set ups put up.
It seems like younger folks just ain't putting up housing like their parent's and grandparent's generations used to.
Simple loss of interest, in my opinion, is the greatest threat facing purple martins today.
Mike Scully
It ain't about giving up, its about teaching.
I would start that letter with....
THANK YOU for putting up a purple martin house, without people like you and millions of caring folk like yourself this beautiful bird would not exist in aywhere near the number that we enjoy today.
You may have noticed however that in recent years you have not had beautiful purple martins in your house....
I ain't kidding about the "thank you" part, even a basic inexpensive martin set up can run about $100, alot to ask of a lot of folks.
Also, most alarming of all, there has been about 30% reduction of the total amount of martin housing in my area over just a five year period, even allowing for the new set ups put up.
It seems like younger folks just ain't putting up housing like their parent's and grandparent's generations used to.
Simple loss of interest, in my opinion, is the greatest threat facing purple martins today.
Mike Scully
Vern,
There is merit to what you point out.
However, new sites have appeared over the last five years, mostly S&K houses, these have sparrows too.
That we have so many sites around here though is mostly a function of the efforts of the late Maury Maverick, who's writings twenty and thirty years ago resonated with an entire generation of retirees. I myself have worked with some of the Trios put up by Mr Maverick himself.
As is true of most folks that put up houses, I am told Mr Maverick didn't evict sparrows either.
Mike Scully
There is merit to what you point out.
However, new sites have appeared over the last five years, mostly S&K houses, these have sparrows too.
That we have so many sites around here though is mostly a function of the efforts of the late Maury Maverick, who's writings twenty and thirty years ago resonated with an entire generation of retirees. I myself have worked with some of the Trios put up by Mr Maverick himself.
As is true of most folks that put up houses, I am told Mr Maverick didn't evict sparrows either.
Mike Scully
Greetings,
In the mid to late 70's, I lived in Universal City for a couple of years and ventured into SA quite a lot and always saw lots and lots of martin houses.
When I have came to visit and take kids and grandkids into the area around the Zoo and Brackenridge Park lately, I see less and less martin housing and the ones I do see seem to be in pretty sad shape.
Kids today spend too much time on YouTube and not enough You Do time!
In the mid to late 70's, I lived in Universal City for a couple of years and ventured into SA quite a lot and always saw lots and lots of martin houses.
When I have came to visit and take kids and grandkids into the area around the Zoo and Brackenridge Park lately, I see less and less martin housing and the ones I do see seem to be in pretty sad shape.
Kids today spend too much time on YouTube and not enough You Do time!
Cheers,
Joe
2015 - 40 cavities - 37 pair - fledged 172
2016 - 40 cavities - 38 pair - fledged 192
Hosting Purple Martins since 1976...Managing since 2006.
Joe
2015 - 40 cavities - 37 pair - fledged 172
2016 - 40 cavities - 38 pair - fledged 192
Hosting Purple Martins since 1976...Managing since 2006.
Vern,
It isn't just the loss of martin houses that is a problem.
This is my 21st year at this same school. Over the last twenty of those years I have sponsored annual student Saturday trips to North Padre Island, Lost Maples State Natural Area, and Enchanted Rock State Park, all at minimal cost to the students.
We have even done overnight camping trips to the coast on occasion.
Over the last five years especially, interest has steadily dwindled in all these outings, the last two years I have had to actually CANCEL the Lost Maples and Enchanted Rock outings due to lack of interest .
Used to be we would have a waiting list just to get a seat on the bus.
Mike Scully
It isn't just the loss of martin houses that is a problem.
This is my 21st year at this same school. Over the last twenty of those years I have sponsored annual student Saturday trips to North Padre Island, Lost Maples State Natural Area, and Enchanted Rock State Park, all at minimal cost to the students.
We have even done overnight camping trips to the coast on occasion.
Over the last five years especially, interest has steadily dwindled in all these outings, the last two years I have had to actually CANCEL the Lost Maples and Enchanted Rock outings due to lack of interest .
Used to be we would have a waiting list just to get a seat on the bus.
Mike Scully