I'm new to the site. I've really enjoyed reading different posts on this forum and I've learned a good bit about purple martins so thank you all for the info!
I live in central Louisiana, and I'm hoping to start a purple martin colony at my house this spring. None of my neighbors have any martins to my knowledge. My house is on 2 acres in the country... the back yard is about an acre (mostly open). In the most open spot about 20 yards from my house, I put up 8 gourds on a gourd rack, and a red barn (16 apartment..I forgot the brand). I converted the small rooms to bigger rooms in the barn after researching on this site.
I put up the gourds and barn two weeks ago. On this past Saturday morning, I walked outside and noticed one purple martin circling the barn... it was an adult male I'm most sure (all purple/black). He stayed for a couple hours just flying around... he ended up leaving unfortunately. Maybe he was a scout! Haven't seen any others since then, but I'm hoping that some new martins show up soon.
You've done better than me im in South Ar had Martins last year for the first time raise little ones and stayed till August , they did come late last year to take up the house and this year I've added a multipurpose pole with sunset houses and gourds ain't seen or heard a purple Martin yet
Sounds like an S&K Barn. Those 4 attic entrances in your barn should be closed off. It is difficult to access them for nest checks. You don't want your birds nesting in an area with no access for nest checks. Good luck.
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!
Bird Brain wrote:Sounds like an S&K Barn. Those 4 attic entrances in your barn should be closed off. It is difficult to access them for nest checks. You don't want your birds nesting in an area with no access for nest checks. Good luck.
Martin Colony History: Home Site 2015 & 2016 2 pairs, 2017 3 pairs Public Park Site 2016 1 pair, 2017 28 pairs Starting Middle School Site 1/2018, 12 gourds Starting Elementary School Site 1/2018, 12 gourds
1/2017 Purple Martin Article in Baton Rouge Audubon Society's Newsletter 4/2017 Guest speaker at St. Bernard Bird Festival 5/2017 Purple Martin Article in Livingston Parish Newspaper 1/2018 Article to be included in PMCA Quarterly Magazine
Hey, I'm in Denham Springs, LA and have been a landlord for almost 15 years. Good luck with your site this year. I have the barn house, closed the very top entrances on the side and modified to expand the compartments thus offering 6 cavities. I added 6 gourds underneath in the hopes I'll get a few more this year. I have some lookers, no takers just yet. I moved three years ago to a new house and it's been slow taking off. 1st year I had none, 2nd year I had two nesting pairs, and I'm hopeful for more this year.
I have a public site I manage at North Park in Denham Springs. Just started it last year and only had one nesting pair. Purchased two used top of the line gourd set ups for this year. Stopped by yesterday and counted 7 martins in residence. It's an exciting time.
K_Adams wrote:Hey, I'm in Denham Springs, LA and have been a landlord for almost 15 years. Good luck with your site this year. I have the barn house, closed the very top entrances on the side and modified to expand the compartments thus offering 6 cavities. I added 6 gourds underneath in the hopes I'll get a few more this year. I have some lookers, no takers just yet. I moved three years ago to a new house and it's been slow taking off. 1st year I had none, 2nd year I had two nesting pairs, and I'm hopeful for more this year.
I have a public site I manage at North Park in Denham Springs. Just started it last year and only had one nesting pair. Purchased two used top of the line gourd set ups for this year. Stopped by yesterday and counted 7 martins in residence. It's an exciting time.
Good luck,
Krista
Hey thanks for the reply! I live about 15 min away from Alexandria. Still learning about purple martins! I plan to close the top entrances of my barn also. I love the idea of having gourds under the barn. I admire your persistence.... I sure hope I can get a pair or two to nest this year, but I know it'll be a challenge being that its a new location and I don't have any neighbors with established martin colonies.
Do you attribute better housing to be the reason why there are more martins at your public site? I bet you're excited to already have 7 martins in residence! Congrats!
Welcome to the forum! I am not too far away from you (Ville Platte). you shouldn't have any trouble attracting martins since they are so plentiful in Louisiana, however, since it is a new setup, you may not get any until sub-adults start coming in later, probably around April. Just be patient, and make sure sparrows and starlings do not take over, and you should be fine.
Neil O wrote:Welcome to the forum! I am not too far away from you (Ville Platte). you shouldn't have any trouble attracting martins since they are so plentiful in Louisiana, however, since it is a new setup, you may not get any until sub-adults start coming in later, probably around April. Just be patient, and make sure sparrows and starlings do not take over, and you should be fine.
Thanks! Hoping I'll get some sub-adults! They need to hurry up... I'm getting impatient.. LOL.. I plan to eliminate all starlings and sparrows. Havent seen many of those yet. Best wishes this year -Ryan
