Largest Purple Martin colony? Awesome video

[LarryMelcher/KY]

https://youtu.be/HsgpXfAzJyQ
Click the link above to see Jerral Johnson's over 2100 gourd nest colony in Rainsville Alabama.
Video by Larry Melcher

[Elijah Clark]

Does anyone know what gourds he uses, they look quite roomy.

[taxidermy lady]

They are nature line gourds. Not sure about quality but his martins must like them!!!

[Ed Svetich-WI]

Amazing setup. How big is the crew for nest checks, nest replacements and record keeping?

[KathyF]

That is a heckuva colony!

I want to know if he has owl problems and does he even DO nest checks.

[Ed Svetich-WI]

2100 gourds. Let's imagine 60% occupancy with 4 eggs per gourd. That equals 5440 eggs.

Questions:

1.Who determines which gourds contain eggs?
2.% hatched?
3. % fledged?
4. How are nest checks accomplshed?
5.How are vermin handled? Nest replacements? Insecticides or miticides?
6.Predator control methods in use?

I understand that I only have 24 occupied gourds but I pride myself with fledging 98% of eggs layed each year. Although it is impressive to have any colony with 2100 gourds, I think that the most important criteria is how many young successfully fledged. Size does not matter if the most important metric is missing. How many nestlings fledged from this colony?

2100 gourds÷25 gourd colonies = 84 colonies, which may be somewhat more likely to have hands on management.

I think that encouraging massive colonies is disingenuous. Is this the model that Mr. Melcher is encouraging? Are numbers of gourds the new criteria for the Project Martinwatch forms?

How about promoting well managed colonies of any size that are able to generate large numbers of fledglings?

Ed

[John Evans]

Great video Larry.. Quick question. In one shot I noticed fan looking things bunched together on poles. Is that supposed to be a hawk deterrent?

Thanks
John

[Thais G]

While I find it quite incredible to watch and recognize the obvious passion that went into getting to this mega-sized colony, I also am against such setup(s) and hope they will not become the martin community example.

Even from a point of long term continuity of the colony... what will be of that colony once the main caretaker is gone? And when the property is passed on to others (either next generation or third party)? It is one thing for one or two hundred birds to be misplaced, it is quite another for over 2,000 pairs to lose their homes at once. Maybe there is a conservation trust or something in place, but I sincerely doubt it....

Another concern I would have would be viruses/diseases and how easily it would be to get a "disaster infestation"...

In my opinion it is unhealthy and not best practice, but I will not dispute that it is certainly an amazing setup and it seems very well loved/kept by the landlord.

(No offense meant to anyone in this comment - just a practical view/opinion on the subject.)
Sincerely,
Thais

[LarryMelcher/KY]

No, the PMCA does not promote this size of a colony for many of the reasons commented in this thread. Purple Martin's need people and this colony has attracted the attention of humans that Martin's desperately need. I applaud all the concerned landlords that worry "how could he possibly....."
But, this huge colony is real, and I thought viewers would be as curious as I just to see it. I promise you, I did not see ONE starling and the house sparrows I saw was caught in his V-trap.

[Thais G]

Hi Larry, i was not saying you should not post - please do!
I think people should be informed about it - plus, as I mentioned, it is still incredible to see!!
thanks,
Thais

[tor]

One: I just don't see how one can manage something this huge. Two: You lose the personal touch that comes with being a Purple Martin landlord. So while a colony this size is impressive as far as size, I don't believe the (proper) management of such a colony is anywhere near possible.

[Mitch Booth]

Larry can I ask the type of drone you are using as well as the camera? I've been thinking about buying one especially with the prices dropping. Does your drone use a Go-Pro camera? Any information you can provide would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Mitch