A few photos from the past couple of days
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Chuck4
- Posts: 861
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:05 am
- Location: North MS
- Martin Colony History: I started trying to attract Purple Martins in 2011. I got my first breeding pair in 2013.
2013-1 pair, 2014-4 pair, 2015-8 pair, 2016-12 pair 60 babies :-).
I have some photos I wanted to share with you guys of my newly forming colony, I think I am up to three pairs so far.
PMCA Member
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Very, very nice shots
PMCA member
2015 - 18 Gourds offered - 12 active nests, 62 eggs, 51 fledged
2014 - 18 gourds offered - 12 active nests, 52 eggs, 48 fledged
2013 - 12 gourds offered - 9 pairs, 56 eggs, 52 hatched, 49 fledged
2012 - 12 gourds offered -4 pairs, 20 eggs, 19 fledged
2011 - 6 gourds offered -1 pair, 5 eggs, 5 hatched, 5 fledged !!!!
2015 - 18 Gourds offered - 12 active nests, 62 eggs, 51 fledged
2014 - 18 gourds offered - 12 active nests, 52 eggs, 48 fledged
2013 - 12 gourds offered - 9 pairs, 56 eggs, 52 hatched, 49 fledged
2012 - 12 gourds offered -4 pairs, 20 eggs, 19 fledged
2011 - 6 gourds offered -1 pair, 5 eggs, 5 hatched, 5 fledged !!!!
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birdy girl
- Posts: 1179
- Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:09 am
- Location: Mississippi/Dumas
Great pictures! Sounds like you are on your way to lots of martins. They will have a great home.
How far away are you from the martins in the up close pictures? What kind of camera do you have? Lens?
How far away are you from the martins in the up close pictures? What kind of camera do you have? Lens?
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Chuck4
- Posts: 861
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:05 am
- Location: North MS
- Martin Colony History: I started trying to attract Purple Martins in 2011. I got my first breeding pair in 2013.
2013-1 pair, 2014-4 pair, 2015-8 pair, 2016-12 pair 60 babies :-).
Thanks a bunch Bulldog1! I appreciate it. I really enjoy your photos and vids to sir!Bulldog1 wrote:Very, very nice shots
PMCA Member
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Chuck4
- Posts: 861
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:05 am
- Location: North MS
- Martin Colony History: I started trying to attract Purple Martins in 2011. I got my first breeding pair in 2013.
2013-1 pair, 2014-4 pair, 2015-8 pair, 2016-12 pair 60 babies :-).
Hi there birdy girl,birdy girl wrote:Great pictures! Sounds like you are on your way to lots of martins. They will have a great home.
How far away are you from the martins in the up close pictures? What kind of camera do you have? Lens?
Generally, I photograph from a distance of about 40-50 feet, Sometimes, I 'll get within 10-15 feet of the martins. They really don't mind me getting up close. I think they like my prescence. The camera is oldish (Nikon D5000) with a telephoto lens. I still serves me well.
Then there is the secret artist's touch. PMCA Member
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birdy girl
- Posts: 1179
- Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2006 9:09 am
- Location: Mississippi/Dumas
Well your camera may be oldish but still takes great pictures.
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Chuck4
- Posts: 861
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:05 am
- Location: North MS
- Martin Colony History: I started trying to attract Purple Martins in 2011. I got my first breeding pair in 2013.
2013-1 pair, 2014-4 pair, 2015-8 pair, 2016-12 pair 60 babies :-).
birdy girl wrote:Well your camera may be oldish but still takes great pictures.
PMCA Member
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taxidermy lady
- Posts: 2988
- Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:21 am
- Location: IL/Ellis Grove
- Martin Colony History: Started trying to attract purple martins in 2012! It's finally happened in 2017! 5 years!!! ASY male and SY female came May 1st, fledged 5 babies!
Bulldog that is picture perfect!!! Good Luck with your crew. Sharon
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Chuck4
- Posts: 861
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:05 am
- Location: North MS
- Martin Colony History: I started trying to attract Purple Martins in 2011. I got my first breeding pair in 2013.
2013-1 pair, 2014-4 pair, 2015-8 pair, 2016-12 pair 60 babies :-).
Actually, I took those photos.taxidermy lady wrote:Bulldog that is picture perfect!!! Good Luck with your crew. Sharon
THanks for the kudos.PMCA Member
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Chuck4
- Posts: 861
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:05 am
- Location: North MS
- Martin Colony History: I started trying to attract Purple Martins in 2011. I got my first breeding pair in 2013.
2013-1 pair, 2014-4 pair, 2015-8 pair, 2016-12 pair 60 babies :-).
Thanks a bunch Martha! I do appreciate it. I hope to get at least one more pair this year for a total of three.mcollmer wrote:Chuck, those are great pictures and a good looking site also.
Hope you fill up.
PMCA Member
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taxidermy lady
- Posts: 2988
- Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:21 am
- Location: IL/Ellis Grove
- Martin Colony History: Started trying to attract purple martins in 2012! It's finally happened in 2017! 5 years!!! ASY male and SY female came May 1st, fledged 5 babies!
Oh Chuck I'm sorry, I got overwhelmed by the photos and had a brain freeze. Sorry
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MamaBruff
- Posts: 1466
- Joined: Wed Mar 06, 2013 12:21 pm
- Location: SW Missouri
- Martin Colony History: 2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
Those are beautiful pics as always! Love em!
~Mary B~
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
Lifelong PM Admirer and Nature Enthusiast.
Ruthless trapper of S&S year round.
2013-2016 Unsuccessful at starting a PM colony. Health problems.
Rehomed all my PM stuff. Good Luck and Best Wishes to All.
Hi Chuck, great pics!
It looks like you have a similar landscape as I do. Some houses, some trees. Are you on wide open ground or is it sort of confined? Do you have pics of the surroundings?
I'm still trying to give hope to those of us who don't have a pasture to house PMs.
It looks like you have a similar landscape as I do. Some houses, some trees. Are you on wide open ground or is it sort of confined? Do you have pics of the surroundings?
I'm still trying to give hope to those of us who don't have a pasture to house PMs.
Buddy Sowell
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Carrera Mike
- Posts: 150
- Joined: Sat Jan 11, 2014 10:23 am
- Location: Eastern TN, Claiborne County
- Martin Colony History: Pls see signature
Nice pictures!!
I've been wanting to get close up shots and was afraid spooking them, but yesterday I was working on their predator guards and they didnt care!! They stayed above me in their houses while I built their predator guard right below them.
I've been wanting to get close up shots and was afraid spooking them, but yesterday I was working on their predator guards and they didnt care!! They stayed above me in their houses while I built their predator guard right below them
.Mike
2020: 11pairs, 51 eggs, 45 fledged
2014: 8 pairs, 43 eggs, 39 fledged
2013: 3 pairs, 8 fledged
2012: 3 pairs, 7 fledged
2020: 11pairs, 51 eggs, 45 fledged
2014: 8 pairs, 43 eggs, 39 fledged
2013: 3 pairs, 8 fledged
2012: 3 pairs, 7 fledged
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4th Gen Martin Fan
- Posts: 1498
- Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
- Location: TN/Collierville
- Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.
Chuck,
Your martins really like the perches above the gourds.
Mike,
Everyone who comes to visit my colony behind my office in the back parking lot are amazed at the human activity and how the martins adapt and tolerate human activity that is non threatening to them.
Cars, trucks, and people are coming and going all during business hours.
No problem.
And it gives people a lot of exposure to the "nice birds on the house."
Mark.
Your martins really like the perches above the gourds.
Mike,
Everyone who comes to visit my colony behind my office in the back parking lot are amazed at the human activity and how the martins adapt and tolerate human activity that is non threatening to them.
Cars, trucks, and people are coming and going all during business hours.
No problem.
And it gives people a lot of exposure to the "nice birds on the house."
Mark.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
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Chuck4
- Posts: 861
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:05 am
- Location: North MS
- Martin Colony History: I started trying to attract Purple Martins in 2011. I got my first breeding pair in 2013.
2013-1 pair, 2014-4 pair, 2015-8 pair, 2016-12 pair 60 babies :-).
Hi BuddyS,BuddyS wrote:Hi Chuck, great pics!
It looks like you have a similar landscape as I do. Some houses, some trees. Are you on wide open ground or is it sort of confined? Do you have pics of the surroundings?
I'm still trying to give hope to those of us who don't have a pasture to house PMs.
Yes I am in a suburb. It is somewhat confined, but there is enough space for them. My site is quite open though from the bird's perspective with no large trees within 60 feet or more. There is a tallish shrubby tree (15 ft) in a neighbors yard that is about 20 ft from my housing, but it dosn't seem to affect the's martins at all. It's not a place where a hawk would lurk. They have three good flyways to come in and depart. Before I got my first nesting pair last year, I did cut down a Mimosa tree that had died from some sort of disease. It was about 40 feet tall, and hawks would land in it. I think the female martins were to affraid of it to nest. The males didn't seem to mind it, but it's the female that chooses where to nest in the male's territory. Sorry for rambling.
I'll gladly post some photos for you when I get a chance.
PMCA Member
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Chuck4
- Posts: 861
- Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 10:05 am
- Location: North MS
- Martin Colony History: I started trying to attract Purple Martins in 2011. I got my first breeding pair in 2013.
2013-1 pair, 2014-4 pair, 2015-8 pair, 2016-12 pair 60 babies :-).
Mike, The decision to make those was based on what I observed last year with my first pair. It seemed like they wanted to perch next to each other, and my gourd rack at the time didn't really allow them to. They really adpated to them quickly!4th Gen Martin Fan wrote:Chuck,
Your martins really like the perches above the gourds.
Here is a shot of the housing used last year. It is six Bo9 gourds on ar GR6 rack (all S&K). The height of the rack was about twelve feet.
The new rack that is posted in this thread has numerous mods. I added an extra pole section to increase the height of the housing. Also, you will see that the old GR6 rack now serves as a top perch. I added two Bo11 gourds and installed tunnels and porches. Before my martins got back I was worried that I may have over done the mods, but they have accepted them with gusto.
PMCA Member
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Chuck, I had a choice I had to make. Move the rack closer to the house and raise it up, or leave it out closer to trees. I remember the rule "better to put the housing closer to buildings than trees", so that's what I did.
The PMs can access it by flying west over the house (it actually rises up over the house) and east. I have 2 flyways not 3, but I feel pretty good about this year. I added 4 troyer horizontals to my 8 verticals so it actually looks inviting.
I didn't post pics before because I guess I didn't want negative feedback, but I think I will anyway.
The PMs can access it by flying west over the house (it actually rises up over the house) and east. I have 2 flyways not 3, but I feel pretty good about this year. I added 4 troyer horizontals to my 8 verticals so it actually looks inviting.
I didn't post pics before because I guess I didn't want negative feedback, but I think I will anyway.
Buddy Sowell