Iowa-Other species coveting Martin House
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Cloudwalker
- Posts: 13
- Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2016 1:52 pm
- Location: Carroll, Iowa
- Martin Colony History: I have had Martins for for about 34 years. I moved so I had to reestablish a colony. I did not keep good records but have fledged many birds over the years. I am passionate about Martins and love sharing and helping others enthusiasts!
I had left my house low in the off season. Well I decided the Martins will soon be here so I unplugged the few I had plugged and cleared out a few large nests! Sparrows...I guessed, and raised the house. At first I saw what I thought was an immature grackle on top of the house with its parents coming to help. Immediately it seemed a bunch of Starlings showed up. They were easy to identify. They went in and out of compartments and sat in one! Then they showed signs of nesting! I freaked. I have never seen them before only sparrows. Before raising the house could those nests have been built by Starlings! The nests were a bit different...full of feathers. I had never seen that with other year sparrow nests. Could it be the Starlings had built those nests? I cleaned it out again and plugged it and plan to not open until I see Martins. Last year was my first successful year with Martins in the house. For three years I patiently waited. I live in Carroll, Iowa and so far have not seen a Martin in my neighborhood. There is a large colony about a mile from me I will check out tomorrow. Any comments would be great. Happy Landlording 2017!
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Dave Duit
- Posts: 2145
- Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
- Location: Iowa / Nevada
- Martin Colony History: In 2024, 82 pair with 350 fledged youngsters. 110 total cavities available, 82 Troyer Horizontal gourds and a homemade PVC / metal 28 compartment unit, 1 fallout shelter. Hawk and owl guards included. Martin educator and speaker. President and founder of the Iowa Purple Martin Organization. Please visit Iowa Purple Martin Organization on Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1627283871068161 Emails send to [email protected]. Subject line include Iowa Purple Martin.
Hi Cloudwalker,
First, I want to invite you to the Iowa Purple Martin Organization if you have not yet heard of us. It is a great website and organization full of good info. Visit www.iamartin.org. We would love to have you as our newest member. As for the nest, from the sounds of it I believe you may be looking at a tree swallow nest. If that is indeed the fact, the tree swallow protocal would be the best strategy. A starling nest has more twigs in it that a martin nest, whereas a sparrow nest in packed to fill the entire cavity with a small hollow pocket in the middle. I hope I was helpful.
First, I want to invite you to the Iowa Purple Martin Organization if you have not yet heard of us. It is a great website and organization full of good info. Visit www.iamartin.org. We would love to have you as our newest member. As for the nest, from the sounds of it I believe you may be looking at a tree swallow nest. If that is indeed the fact, the tree swallow protocal would be the best strategy. A starling nest has more twigs in it that a martin nest, whereas a sparrow nest in packed to fill the entire cavity with a small hollow pocket in the middle. I hope I was helpful.