He Stayed

bigwill1767 · Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:38 pm

Yesterday evening when I got home from work I was on the porch watching for any PM but there was none it sight. I played the Dawnsong for about 10 minutes and 2 showed up and was circling around. I turned off the stereo and 1 decided he would leave but the other ASY male continued to circle and swoop down to check out the housing. I have 4 gourds attached to the underside of my T14. He went in 1 gourd then flew out and came back to another gourd flew out and returned to the same gourd. This was at 550pm and almost dark. He stayed in and was perched or the gourd rack this morning. I still have not put the gourds back on the gourd rack since the bluebirds forced me to take everything down. I am hoping they will use the T14 is the reason I put the gourds on it. Last year they stayed in the gourd rack and none in the T14.
Question- since the PM's that fledged last year were in gourds on the gourd rack, will they make a move to the T14 if the gourd rack is empty or should I just go ahead and put the gourds back up. The attached picture was taken before I took the gourds off of the gourd rack.

DornCounty · Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:41 pm

if they liked the rack I would put it up and leave the 14 open also. My guess is both will end up enjoyed.

Laverne · Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:26 pm

I don't know about you, but I can't stand to watch a Purple Martin sitting on an empty rack. The T-14 is a perfectly good house for Purple Martins who are accustomed to nesting in apartment houses. If your Purple Martins are accustomed to nesting in gourds -- well, then maybe you should put their gourds back up.

They say that the returning PM who successfully nested in a house last season will not be deterred by the Bluebirds. I have no experience in this matter, but have been following this Forum for many years and "they say" "resident" Purple Martins are committed to their cavity and are not likely to be chased away by BBs.

This Purple Martin that has returned to your housing is not a fledgling that hatched in your gourds last year. Rather he is the adult who parented those babies that fledged last year. He is a very valuable bird and I would put his housing back up. He may not like T-14s at all.

Just my humble opinion -- but, congratulations on that returning bird -- and best wishes to you for a wonderful season and many years of returning birds. Ain't it great!!

Sincerely,
Laverne

Gobbler T · Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:05 pm

bigwill,
Looking at your profile I see that you started in 2010 with 1 pair and had 3 pair last year. If last year was your first year to have the T14, I can certainly see why you are so anxious for them to use it. They are magnificant looking (to me anyway)

Said that to say this, obviously your colony is growing so you are doing it right. Once your colony gets bigger they will use the T14, and who knows they may use it this year, it's still early yet. If you think that the martins would prefer the gourd rack, then give it to them. The happier they are the stronger your colony gets. I will say this, if I thought a martin wanted my wife's cookie jars, they'd get um! I've been at it for going on 6 season without a single pair. I'll give them anything they want if I can figure out what that is.

Keep them (not you) happy. They'll use it!

Emil Pampell-Tx · Fri Feb 24, 2012 5:11 am

I personally think that the T-14 is the perfect type of housing, so I built one many years ago. I was saddened because only about 3 pair would use the house, but the sparrows nearly drove me crazy as they loved that house. Thats not all, the sparrows and starlings (I would shoot them and more would come) would chase away any interested martins. One year I had 4 pair in it. I finally took down the T-14 and gave it away, and now I use only gourds on that old wooden 4x4, and I have 48 gourds on that pole. That is one advantage to gourds, you can put a lot more than 14 gourds on one pole if you don't want to add a lot of poles.

DornCounty · Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:23 am

yeah I don't get the T14 love either. It seems like a poor design.

bigwill1767 · Fri Feb 24, 2012 9:58 am

Thanks everyone. I built the T14 myself therefore I hate to think my work was for nothing. I will leave it up with the gourds hanging underneath and see what happens this year. Also, I bought a new winch and pole for the gourd rack so I will be working on the new gourd rack modifications tonight and tomorrow. Hopefully I can have the gourd rack up by tomorrow evening.