Finally! We have Martins at long last.

JeanS · Sat Feb 14, 2015 3:38 pm

Seriously! After seeing reports of Purple Martin sightings all around Texas but our back yard, these last three weeks have been long. But our wait is over.

When we got home from work yesterday evening, the unmistakable sound of Purple Martins greeted us. Three Purple Martins were flying above our house. At dusk, they flew in and out of gourds. The gourds facing North were their picks last night. This morning, we saw the three together flying fairly high. I feel incredibly at peace and so very happy today.

We started out in year 2002 with a couple of Coates metal houses. They were a birthday gift to my husband from me. We didn't know much about being good landlords, but we had full occupancy that first year. That year was the beginning of a life changing and rewarding hobby.

These days, we are Troyer gourd lovers. And our Summers are filled with sparrow/starling trapping, nest checks, hawk watching, baby bird rescues, nest changes, and just kicking back watching them in the evenings with a glass of merlot. Oh, and let's not forget the joy of pre dawn chatter and a fresh cup of coffee. Well I've gone on too long about the gratefulness I feel, and if you read this far, thanks for sharing my happiness.

apundt-TX · Sat Feb 14, 2015 3:54 pm

That's a beautiful backyard. I hope you continue to share pictures as the season goes on.

A.P.

Michael N · Sat Feb 14, 2015 4:22 pm

My gosh that is a sweet setup. How many pairs do you expect?

JeanS · Sat Feb 14, 2015 4:27 pm

Thank you A.P. and Michael.

We have 64 gourds and usually about 60 are occupied. My husband, Bert, is the brain of our operation. I'm his number one helper.

Mitch Booth · Sat Feb 14, 2015 4:29 pm

Jeans,

What is the name of your gourd rack and how many does each hold? Are you at full capacity? What are those black boxes that extend skyward from the top of each rack?

Mitch

Anthony Neira · Sat Feb 14, 2015 4:31 pm

Congrats Jean & to your husband, super clean setup ! I hope you all have much success ! Good luck!

pmartinlover2 · Sat Feb 14, 2015 7:08 pm

Jean you and your husband have a beautiful backyard! Happy to hear that your martins have arrived. You have a great spot to observe all their antics. Please send us some pictures when they all return.
________
Jody

Bulldog1 · Sat Feb 14, 2015 8:38 pm

With that view, I wouldn't be surprised if you have to hang out a No Vacancy sign this year. But what is that in the chair?

Emil Pampell-Tx · Sat Feb 14, 2015 8:51 pm

Congrats, happy for you. We have about 12 here now

taxidermy lady · Sun Feb 15, 2015 6:58 am

Beautiful, looks like a postcard picture! Good luck!

rrmartins · Sun Feb 15, 2015 8:03 am

I'm curious also, as to what the little black boxes are on the rods, on top of the racks.

apundt-TX · Sun Feb 15, 2015 8:16 am

Those black boxes are called Night Guard Protectors.
They are suppose to simulate an eye and makes a predator nervous about being watched so they leave the area.

Jean,
Do these things actually work? From the information I have gathered it seems split in half if they work or not.

A.P.

Bill Pec · Sun Feb 15, 2015 8:16 am

JeanS,

Thanks you for sharing your view and feelings with us. You summed up our lives with Purple Martins perfectly.

My best to you,

Bill

JeanS · Sun Feb 15, 2015 9:12 am

apundt-TX wrote:Those black boxes are called Night Guard Protectors.
They are suppose to simulate an eye and makes a predator nervous about being watched so they leave the area.

Jean,
Do these things actually work? From the information I have gathered it seems split in half if they work or not.

A.P.

A.P., thank you for sharing your knowledge about the Night Guard Protectors. I didn't know what they are called and Bert didn't have time last night to log on and explain.

We had a great horned owl that visited at night quite often. It would hang from a gourd flap like crazy to try to make a P.M. fly out. So Bert did a lot of reading to find out how to deter Owl predation.

For 3 or 4 years, he put speakers on the tops of the racks and played the radio between stations to make a White Noise. The thought was that the White Noise made it hard for owls to locate the Purple Martins. That seemed to help a lot, as we had less owl attacks. But Bert kept researching.

Then he found the Night Guard Protectors. They are solar powered and each side of the little black box has a tiny red light that starts blinking at dusk. It is inconspicuous, but it seems to work because I don't think we have had an owl on the gourd racks since installation. We have seen the owl in the tree and on top of our house, but not on the rack for at least 4 years. Sadly, I can't remember exactly what year they were installed.

When neighbors or friends ask about the blinking lights, we like to joke that it is so airplanes see the racks and not accidentally fly into them. I've been trying to come up with a funnier line. They already think we are half crazy, so maybe I will start saying we are trying to communicate with life on other planets.

Bill Pec · Sun Feb 15, 2015 9:34 am

Jean,

During the Christmas Season the red light will attract Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer to ensure Santa is guided to your neighborhood with a sleigh full of gifts. :-)

JeanS · Sun Feb 15, 2015 10:35 am

Mitch Booth wrote:Jeans,

What is the name of your gourd rack and how many does each hold? Are you at full capacity? What are those black boxes that extend skyward from the top of each rack?

Mitch

I found out that it is a Gemini gourd rack that can handle up to 32 gourds. Here is a very good link to a previous discussion started by Steve Kroenke in year 2003. http://www.purplemartin.org/forum/viewt ... highlight=

The discussion answers a lot of questions and you may find it very helpful if you are looking for a new setup. :-)

Dave Duit · Mon Feb 16, 2015 11:39 pm

Congrats. I agree a hot cup of coffee makes the morning martin watching a treat. I hope you have a great season.

Carlton · Wed Feb 18, 2015 9:20 am

Beautiful setup and location!

I know exactly what you mean about this "purple passion". So rewarding and fun.

beverly burton 18 · Wed Feb 18, 2015 9:01 pm

Wow what an awesome set up seems that they should be quiet happy there. We are in Ky and praying fervently that they will not come our way for several more weeks. We are having the worst weather we have had in years. blizzard conditions. I too am so ready to hear that morning chatter. but will wait patiently as timing not good here. We usally do not see our first until about 2nd week of March maybe by then more spring like weather will be our way.

Dave Reynolds · Fri Feb 20, 2015 9:34 am

Beverly --- Welcome to the Forum.... It won't be long before the chatter is in the air... Just keep them warm and fed if you can, good luck

Dave