Old newbie

[Wilber256]

Hello from Northeast Mississippi. I am a want to be landlord and have been on and off for close to 40 years, here is a brief summary of my attempts. I started with 25 gourds strung out on a wire between 2 trees around 1978-79. My uncle is a big time Martin home provider and he got me started but I never saw a single Martin around those gourds. From what I have been reading for the past couple of weeks I can see why as procedures have changed from the time I have tried in the past. Back then following my uncles advice and duplicating his method is nothing like today's way. Then you just hung gourds and waited, no paint, no doing away with competition, no nothing as it is today. He was very successful and would clean his gourds out in the fall and plug the holes until next year, but he had 250 gourds, plastic milk jugs, just about any type container he could find that would work. He had hundreds and hundreds each year. But anyway back to my history, around 1983-84 I got the fever again and ordered a 4 story, 24 hole aluminum house but this time I would have a visitor or two but none never stayed, I still have that house and just took it down last week to fix up and retrofit to today's standards. The trees had grown up close to it and that help protect it from the storms. Then in 2005 bit again this time I bought 2 plastic 24 hole houses mounted them on a rhom tower and winds from severe weather turned them on their side and have been that way until last week when they also were removed, roof tops painted white from green and now I am ready to make them as the other house into crescent openings if possible. I have also purchased plastic gourds from time to time through the years thinking that may be what I needed to attract martins but some when down with the plastic houses and the others were not in a place a Martin would even consider. So now fast forward, thanks to the internet with a Hugh amount of information I have learned the best way to approach the task again. If I may I would like to ask a few questions and hope some of you pros will set me straight so I can get this things in the air in the next couple of weeks as that will be about 4 weeks after my areas normal time. 1. Am I understanding correctly about the crescent shape holes? Are the 1-3/16" at the center vertical? curving down on either side to meet with the horizontal that is 3" wide? That seems really short for the birds to get in, sounds more like humming bird size. 2. Can I have the crescent holes 1/2" above the porch level as opposed to level/flush with the porch? This will make it a lot easier to retro the openings. I propose to glue aluminum valley tin over the existing holes and then cut the crescent thru the plastic and aluminum and aluminum glued to aluminum on the aluminum house. 3. I have purchased and cut it into long ways some 3" sch 40 pvc pipe to make a half moon roof over the entrances, how wide do they need to be? I have read anywhere from 1/4" to tunnels as long as 4" . How high above the hole do they need to be? 4. I propose to take out the portions between apartments where possible to enlarge the apartment, do I need to cover one of the holes so the now larger apartment has one hole or leave both holes so the apartment will have two entrances? I realize there are more than 4 questions here but I grouped the subjects to a question number thinking it would be better but now that I think about it, it probably doesn't make any difference, probably better to number each question so when addressed people could respond to a number. I have more but This is probably enought for now. Thanks in advance for any and all help or suggestions.

[Archer]

Hello Old newbie. I love to help people, so I'll do the best I can. I get excited when people try something new, like you learning about martins after all these years. Good for you, I like that! Click on this link https://www.purplemartin.org/purple-mar ... n-housing/ A new page will appear, and down aways on that page are the dimensions of the crescent entrance. I have them on all of my houses, and they work great. At first the martins will peek inside and then back out, that is normal. Once they feel comfortable, they will scoot right in. The higher above the porch you go, the easier it is for the starling to get into the house. The highest I would go would be 1/4 inch above the porch. What you can do is, build the porch up higher, add a layer of board to the porch to keep the hole at the right height. Not sure on the tunnel length, people add tunnels to help prevent owls from sticking their foot into the hole and pulling out martins. The crescent hole will already make that much harder or impossible for the owl to do. I have made a few home made tunnels and they are about 4 inches long, with another 4 inches of porch at the end of the tunnel, so they have a place to land. I would make the tunnels at least an inch higher than the top of the crescent hole. Maybe some others have an opinion on this as well. Yes you need to close one of the holes to the nest. The martins like to nest far away from the entrance hole as possible. One question for you. Have you moved your houses into an open area? Martins like that and usually will not stay in a house that is too close to the trees. God Bless.

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

I will again add that the number ONE reason for not getting martins: The trees are too close to the housing!

The best place is in a completely open area with no trees for 150 feet from the housing. Then when some trees are nearer, then your chances go down, and its very unusual to get martins if several trees are within 60 ft of the housing (possible but not likely). If you do not have a wide open area, it would help tremendously to cut down some nearby trees, and open up the area to help protect the martins from hawks.

Another excellent place is beside a lake or large pond, where you have completely open areas with no trees on about 3 sides. The martins can escape the hawks in such a location, and the martins love such a place

Best of luck to you

[Wilber256]

Thanks for the fast replies. My house is on 25 acres with a 3/4 acre catfish, bass and bream pond located about 300 feet from the house BUT it is surrounded by trees as is my house and between here and there. I propose to install the housing in a somewhat open area about 165' south of the house, 60-65' from a line of trees on its north location (Bradford pears about 25 ft tall which is mature height), 65' from a line of trees on the west side(old fence line with pine and gum 30 + ft and growing) 80-90' from a line of tall trees on the east side(old fence line along the road with pine 60 + ft and growing) and wide open on the south side for 300 + ft. The proposed site elevation is 8-10' lower than its east trees, equal to on all other directions. So I am attempting to be as close to the house as possible and at least 60 ft away from tree limbs in two directions, I could move site east some more but it would be directly under the power lines, as it is it will be west of the power line about 18-20'. As you can see I don't have the best location to meet all requirements. I do have a 8-10 acre ex pasture now hayfield but site would be 250'' minimum from the house and still only 60' from trees and if it matters waist deep in grass during the summer until y is cut, but I can keep the immediate area clean with a weed eater if needed. I can place it farther away from trees but the distance to the house gets farther as well. Cutting tress is out of the question as I planted some of these for timber to help with the younger Grandchildren's education(one is 4-1/2, one is 1, and one is on the way). When I first started this endeavor in the late 70's east and northeast trees were the only problem on the south side of my house but now they are everywhere that is close to the house execpt for the power company right of way and the two fields, one I mentioned the other is minimum 500' from the house and would only remotely see humans execpt when someone is at the pond and at even then 200' minimum away. I can take some pictures if that would help and someone coach me on how to post them. I am a disabled senior that is not the brightest bulb in fixture since my disabling injury in 2005, don't know which is worse my back or my mind, one I lost the other I know exactly where it is at all times. And believe me it hurts to bad to go look for the other. Question please, Do I need to make porches for the plastic gourds? That's all I see in the pics of gourds is porches and perches. Again thanks.

[JMcM]

Hi Old Newbie. What area are you in? I live in the Sherman area.

I'm not an expert on Purple Martins by any means but I did have a colony for the first time in a new location, this past year.

I just wanted to add the dates that I've seen Martins at my location the last couple of years. This has been around March 20th to 22nd. My dad lives in Ashland and those dates have been pretty consistent with his Martins the last several years also.

I have a friend that lives in the Egypt area between Tupelo and and West Point. He has had several birds since early Feb. He had them around the same time last year.

Good luck on your new colony!

[Wilber256]

Hello JMcM, I am a little south of you outside Amory, about 1/2 way between Amory and Nettleton in the Bigbee-Cason community. I wondered being it has been so warm so early for such an extended time wether they may show up early this year. I read that being I am just now starting out that I should postpone opening up at what would be the normal time for our area, this is suppose to help with the competition for the houses. I am hoping to be ready to raise a pole by 3/15 and keep a eye out for any signs of martins then put out the welcome mat, not real optimistic about my chances due to my limited locations. How many did you have last year? I don't have a way to get music out there or a portable CD player or I would slip and order some sounds in hope that may help, just have to lie and tell my wife "must have been a gift" until she sees the charge on our credit card. Boy it's tough surviving on monthly fixed income, no room for toys, my 1999 Ranger has been broken for 5 years no funds to make minor repairs, maybe more since it hasn't been started in 2 years. I suppose I could sell martins after I get flooded with them. Thanks for the reply.

[GeneP]

Power lines are a plus. Martins use them to perch.
Keep it simple in the beginning. Find the most open place, purchase a couple of gourds from the PMCA shop add your house and control House Sparrows and Starlings. It sounds like you know more than most who put houses up. Give it a try.

[Wilber256]

Thanks GeneP, So what you are saying is to just put up one house and not fool with the two other houses or any of the plastic gourds at this time? I read somewhere that one needed to avoid power lines as they are a flight hazard and interfere with their flight. If that is not the case I can move the site halfway between the east and west tree lines which is about half way. Thanks for your help.

[Luv Ya Purple]

I have power lines about 35 feet from my housing and the lines were covered with martins last season. Like GeneP said keep it simple. Put up recommended housing(I would use a house and gourds), keep unwanted birds out of the housing, keep trees away from the housing and use predator protection.

[JMcM]

Hello JMcM, I am a little south of you outside Amory, about 1/2 way between Amory and Nettleton in the Bigbee-Cason community. I wondered being it has been so warm so early for such an extended time wether they may show up early this year. I read that being I am just now starting out that I should postpone opening up at what would be the normal time for our area, this is suppose to help with the competition for the houses. I am hoping to be ready to raise a pole by 3/15 and keep a eye out for any signs of martins then put out the welcome mat, not real optimistic about my chances due to my limited locations. How many did you have last year? I don't have a way to get music out there or a portable CD player or I would slip and order some sounds in hope that may help, just have to lie and tell my wife "must have been a gift" until she sees the charge on our credit card. Boy it's tough surviving on monthly fixed income, no room for toys, my 1999 Ranger has been broken for 5 years no funds to make minor repairs, maybe more since it hasn't been started in 2 years. I suppose I could sell martins after I get flooded with them. Thanks for the reply.

I was over in your area this past Thursday. Wife and I went over to a place just east of Amory. I have a friend in Amory that hosts Martins at his farm. I asked if he had seen any at his location so far this year. He's been working in Memphis and hasn't been around much but said he hasn't seen any so far.

I had 12-14 that stayed with me last year with at lest 4 fledglings.

I would definitely hang some gourds with your houses to help attract them.

I've used a bird call the last couple of years to help attract them. The call I have is a Bird-X SongBird Magnet. I think I paid around $40 from Amazon for it. I really think they help to attract birds in for a look. It has a photocell on it that turns the morning song on at daybreak and it plays for 4 hours then automatically turns off until the next morning. It can be set to play only the Martin dawnsong.

[Wilber256]

Thanks JMcM, That's pretty good numbers for your 2nd year. At the risk of sounding dumb what exactly is a fledgling? I read a couple of semi conflicting descriptions so I am now more confused than before I started to understand what that means, bear in mind that I don't know wether I am washing or hanging out about 80% of the time so I be gentle with me.....Must have been to the Pickle Barrel, they have some pretty tasty groceries. There is a Fish/Steak house in my neck of the woods been there since 1970 or 72 they have great food or did I would not know as of the past few years as we barely can afford uncooked food from the Walton empire. What's steak? Vegetable or fruit? First one in this part of the world, trendsetter. I recall when they built it and saying these folks got way more cents than sense. I remember ridiculing these folks about stupid can you get, a restaurant out in the country? People ain't gonna travel out in the boonies to eat. Just proves my intelligence. After that there were eating joints everywhere out in the country. The Bird-X SongBird Magnet you have does it locate at the house site? I read about cds that have morning and others that have day song do you think the morning would be the better choice of the two? I wonder if someone makes one that does both? I suppose they run off batteries? I never have checked but there may be songs I could play on, oh heck, must be hanging out right now cause I can't remember what the website is, it has has videos, short instructional videos, etc, ect. Itube is that it? It will hit me about 2:00 a.m.QUICK! What's your phone number! I will call you when it hits me and let you know. Gotta figure some type material that will conform to the shape to cover the plastic gourd holes and then cut the crescent shape holes thru it and the gourd plastic. I have some aluminum valley tin but it will wrinkle when trying to shape it to the round gourds. Plus it don't adhere well using liquid nails, don't know what will glue aluminum to plastic very well.I checked on some the new funky shaped gourds I have seen so many pictures of, whoa! Them puppies must be made of gold! Wonder if they would finance 4 for 36 months and if I gotta put up the land as collateral? Thanks for reply and the info.