Hello!
The old purple martin house on our North GA property came down after a storm last winter. After researching online I found a plan for a 16 unit wooden purple martin "hotel". I have some questions below and would really appreciate the forums input.
1) My new martin "hotel" weighs in at around 70 lbs. It is modular and has 3 detachable sections (base, 1st floor, and 2nd floor with roof). The post for the old house is a 16 ft. 4x4 anchored in 2 feet of cement. The old house was probably half the weight and the post handled it's weight with no problem. My big question is if the old 4x4 post sufficient for a 70 lb. much larger size house?
2) I have just read elsewhere that a perch or railing for a purple martin house is a no-no. Is this true? My plan was to put a dowel rod railing on the porch in front of the sparrow proof cresent holes so that the baby martins would have a barrier to the porch ledge.
3) Does the "dawnsong" actually draw in martins?? There are dawn song youtubes which sound ok to my ear, but I'm not a bird. Can anyone speak to the sound quality of these youtubes vs. the dawnsong on cd? I ask because If I go with the cd I will need to purchase a cd player and high output speakers instead of just using my smartphone and current speakers (loud).
Thanks in advance!
Rich S.
New member with rookie questions.
-
Archer
- Posts: 786
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 1:09 pm
- Location: Manitoba/Altona
- Martin Colony History: six pair in 2014, have grown to 52 pairs in 2017.
Hi Rich, welcome to the forum. Honestly can't answer the first question. Lots of houses have a railing, lot's don't, either works. Yes the Dawnsong does bring in martins.
When I was a rookie, I didn't know much about housing Martins, but reading the forum and the information they provided, set me on the right path. I'd like to know more about the housing you are considering. Can you raise and lower it frequently to do nest checks. Do you have large compartment now recommended by the PMCA. Can you provide a picture or a link to a picture of the housing that you are considering. To help you get started on the right track,here is a link with current housing standards. https://www.purplemartin.org/uploads/me ... hs-254.pdf
When I was a rookie, I didn't know much about housing Martins, but reading the forum and the information they provided, set me on the right path. I'd like to know more about the housing you are considering. Can you raise and lower it frequently to do nest checks. Do you have large compartment now recommended by the PMCA. Can you provide a picture or a link to a picture of the housing that you are considering. To help you get started on the right track,here is a link with current housing standards. https://www.purplemartin.org/uploads/me ... hs-254.pdf
2011- first year trying, a few visitors.
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair
2012-One ASY pair, raised two young, lots of subby visitors. So thankfull.
2013-daily subby visits.
2014-Six SY pairs
2015-18 pair, 83 fledglings
2016-36 pair, 147 fledglings
2017-52 pairs, 192 fledglings.
2018-60 pair, 246 fledglings.
2019-59 pair, 238 fledglings.
2020-62 pair.
2021-65 pair.
2022-63 pair.
2023-60 pair
2024-62 pair