RS POSTED. THANK YOU FOR ACCEPTING ME INTO YOUR GROUP. HOPE I DO THIS RIGHT.
NEW TO PURPLE MARTIN LANDLORDING 70 AND 73 YRS OLD
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robertgracie
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Mon Jan 15, 2018 3:32 pm
- Location: LA
HI EVERYONE, I HAVE VISION PROBLEMS THEREFORE CAPS. MY HUSBAND AND I PUT UP OUR FIRST PURPLE MARTIN HOUSE LAST YEAR IN APRIL ON THE 10 DAY OF 2017. WE WERE AMAZED AT THE AMOUNT OF PURPLE MARTINS WE GOT AS I AM SURE YOU WILL BE ALSO WHEN YOU SEE OUR PICTURES. WE LIVE IN ST.HELENA PARISH IN LOUISIANA AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE ANOTHER LARGE TURNOUT THIS YEAR ALSO. PICTURES.
RS POSTED. THANK YOU FOR ACCEPTING ME INTO YOUR GROUP. HOPE I DO THIS RIGHT.
RS POSTED. THANK YOU FOR ACCEPTING ME INTO YOUR GROUP. HOPE I DO THIS RIGHT.
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C.C.Martins
- Posts: 3368
- Joined: Fri Apr 14, 2017 11:15 am
- Location: Corpus Christi Tx
- Martin Colony History: 2016- Visitors.
2017- 5 pair. 15 fledged
2018- 18 pair. 85 fledged
2019- 17 pair. 81 fledged
2020- 25 pair. 111 fledged
2021- 28 pair. 118 fledged
2022- 33 pair. 151 fledged
2023- 33 pair. 165 fledged
2024- 40 pair. 185 fledged
2025- 40 pair. 181 fledged
HOSP:
Home colony: mix natural, super, Troyer and excluder gourds, enlarged compartment house. All SREH.
Satellite colony: Oso Bay Preserve: 49 PMCA excluder gourds; 16 room Lonestar Goliad with Modified Excluder entrances.
2019: Visitors
2020: 3 pair, 11 fledged
2021: 10 pair, 30 fledged
2022: 11 pair, 35 fledged
2023: 18 pair, 101 fledged
2024: 39 pair, 181 fledged
2025: 51 pair, 216 fledged
PMCA member
wow, that was a lot of martins! keep your birds safe, look through here and ask questions they are here to help. good luck this year and welcome!
A good house sparrow is a dead house sparrow.
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
HOSP: 17. Starlings: 23
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Dan G
- Posts: 446
- Joined: Thu Jun 12, 2014 7:52 pm
- Location: PA/Bellefonte
- Martin Colony History: Several colonies with in 6 mile radius.
Have had visitor every year 2014-24.
Two large trees removed in fall 2024 and moved T-14 to a more open location.
2025- 1 SY pair. Fledged 2.
LOOKS LIKE YOUR ALREADY A PRO ALREADY.
Bellefonte PA
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
2014, 1st year-a few lookers, no nests
2015-23. Visitors each year. But no pairs.
2024- most active year. 2-4 SY male’s hang out most days.
2025, 1 SY pair. 2 eggs, 2 fledged!! Other martins visited daily.
Still eliminating starlings and sparrows.
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gussiemike
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Mon Jun 09, 2008 8:26 am
- Location: Baton Rouge, LA
- Martin Colony History: 07/3pair 08/10pair 09/14pair 10/17pair 11/18pair 12/21pair 13/18pair 14/20pair 15/13pair 16/7pair. Landlord for 10yrs. Colony has shrunk the last two yrs.
Man, what an awesome site all those birds on one house. Looks like you hit the mother load there. Are you expanding this year. Looks like you have lots of opportunity there. What a nice problem to have on first year all those birds. You can get plenty of help and advise on the forum.
Welcome,
Gussiemike
Welcome,
Gussiemike
07/3pair
08/10pair
09/14pair
10/17pair
11/19pair
12/21pair
13/18pair
08/10pair
09/14pair
10/17pair
11/19pair
12/21pair
13/18pair
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ToyinPA
- Posts: 2227
- Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 6:07 pm
- Location: PA/Avis
- Martin Colony History: The 1972 St. Agnes flood wiped out all the Martins in my area. One day, in 1997-98, 5 or 6 Martins landed on the power wires crossing my back yard. I had no house for them. They kept coming back day after day. We got a martin house a few weeks later & they have been coming back every year since. I average 12-15 pair per year.
Amazing 
. They are wonderful birds. You sure got a nice amount for first time landlords. Most wait years to get a colony started.
A couple tips....
Only put up as much housing as you think you can take care of. Otherwise you may get overwhelmed.
Save eggs shells. Rinse them well. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper & bake at 250 degrees for about 20-25 minutes. Let cool & then smash them into 1/4 inch or smaller pieces. Place them on the ground or on a platform for the Martins. They are a good source of calcium for the adults & chicks.
Toy in PA
. They are wonderful birds. You sure got a nice amount for first time landlords. Most wait years to get a colony started. A couple tips....
Only put up as much housing as you think you can take care of. Otherwise you may get overwhelmed.
Save eggs shells. Rinse them well. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper & bake at 250 degrees for about 20-25 minutes. Let cool & then smash them into 1/4 inch or smaller pieces. Place them on the ground or on a platform for the Martins. They are a good source of calcium for the adults & chicks.
Toy in PA
PMCA Member
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Bird Brain
- Posts: 327
- Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 9:22 am
- Location: Highland Village, TX
- Martin Colony History: 2022-visitors, 2023-visitors, 2024-1 pair, fledged 4, 2025-10 pair, fledged 42
That much success with an April 10 th install? I wonder if you lured away someone else's colony. wow. I noticed many trees in those photos. How close are those trees to your martin house? My advice is to change your round entrance holes to starling resistance entrance holes (SREH) s . That is golden rule number one is to protect your birds from starlings. Don't focus on anything else until you've done that !
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taxidermy lady
- Posts: 2988
- Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:21 am
- Location: IL/Ellis Grove
- 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!
You have done fantastic! Predator guard on the pole is what I would for sure have!
If your around all the time and can keep the starlings out the round is fine! But if you work and gone all day I’d consider SREH. Good luck this year!
If your around all the time and can keep the starlings out the round is fine! But if you work and gone all day I’d consider SREH. Good luck this year!
Sharon from southern Illinois
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Dave Reynolds
- Posts: 2441
- Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:35 pm
- Location: Little Hocking, Oh.
- Martin Colony History: Satellite Site “Oxbow Golf Course”..
2018 - 15 Pair, 36 Fledged
2019 - 26 Pair, 97 Fledged
2020 - 30 Pair, 137 Fledged
2021 - 30 Pair, 144 Fledged
2022 - 27 Pair, 125 Fledged
2023 - 31 Pair, 130 Fledged
2024 - 41 Pair, 198 Fledged
2025 - 44 Pair, 168 Fledged
Home Site "Little Hocking, Ohio".
2019 - 1 Pair, 5 Fledged
2020 - 1 Pair, 4 Fledged
2021 - 8 Pair, 36 Fledged
2022 - 13 Pair, 46 Fledged
2023 - 16 Pair, 84 Fledged
2024 - 22 Pair, 104 Fledged
2025 - 28 Pair, 83 Fledged
... FIRST OF ALL ....WELCOME TO THE FORUM... YOUR PICTURES ARE WONDERFUL.. GOOD LUCK IN 2018
DAVE
DAVE
PMCA Member
Little Hocking, Ohio
Little Hocking, Ohio
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Connie
- Posts: 441
- Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:05 pm
- Location: WALKER, LOUISIANA
- Martin Colony History: Had my site up to 22 gourds of which most (+/-3) stayed occupied.
Downsized to 17 gourds due to back surgeries. Had 14 families in 2017 but did not do nest checks due to health. Feeling better in 2018 and hoping for a good year.
I JUST GOT ONLINE FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR AND YOUR POST WAS THE FIRST I READ. THOSE ARE THE MOST AWESOME AND EXCITING PICTURES I HAVE EVER SEEN! TO GET THAT MANY PM'S THE FIRST YEAR IS JUST AMAZING. I WISH YOU ALL THE PM LUCK IN THE WORLD. KEEP YOUR EYES ON THIS FORUM FOR THE MOST REMARKABLE PEOPLE YOU WILL EVER MEET. ALL THE HELP YOU COULD EVER NEED IS RIGHT HERE IN THIS FORUM. GOOD LUCK!!
All caps used for vision impairment, not yelling
All caps used for vision impairment, not yelling
Connie
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tor
- Posts: 279
- Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2009 4:35 pm
- Location: Marlboro County, SC
- Martin Colony History: 2025 Capacity: 96
72 Hor / Vert Troyers on 3 X Super-24's.
24 Hor Troyers on Gemini-24.
2026: We'll see.
2025: 92 pair - Fledge: 405
2024: 72 pair - Fledge: 356
2023: 72 pair - Fledge: 342
2022: 72 pair - Fledge: 322
2021: 71 pair - Fledge: 325
2020: 72 pair - Fledge: 336
2019: 70 pair - Fledge: 320
2018: 60 pair - Fledge: 297
2017: 36 pair - Fledge: 189
2016: 16 pair - Fledge: 79
2015: 4 pair - Fledge: 21
Wow. That is amazing for a first season. Keep it up. And as others have said, expand as much as you know you can take care of. Good luck to both of you.
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robertgracie
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Mon Jan 15, 2018 3:32 pm
- Location: LA
THANK YOU FOR ALL THE COMMENTS ON OUR FIRST EVER PURPLE MARTIN HOUSE. I KINDA HAD THE SAME THOUGHT AS OTHERS ON HERE ABOUT MAYBE WE STOLE SOME AWAY FROM THEIR FORMER HOUSE. BUT IF WE DID I SAY THE MORE THE MERRIER, AND WELCOME TO ALL NEW PURPLE MARTINS IN OUR AREA. OUR PURPLE MARTIN HOUSE IS FAR AWAY FROM THE WOOD LINE. I TOOK THE PHOTOS WITH A TELESCOPIC LENS BECAUSE THEIR HOUSE (PURPLE MARTIN) IS FAR AWAY FROM OUR HOUSE,AND I WANTED TO GET A CLOSE UP OF THE COLONY. 
THAT IS WHY IT LOOKS LIKE THE WOODS ARE RIGHT ON THEM. AND IF WE DID STEAL FROM OTHER HOUSES, THE EATING MUST BE BETTER HERE THAN THERE .
THAT IS WHY IT LOOKS LIKE THE WOODS ARE RIGHT ON THEM. AND IF WE DID STEAL FROM OTHER HOUSES, THE EATING MUST BE BETTER HERE THAN THERE .-
robertgracie
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Mon Jan 15, 2018 3:32 pm
- Location: LA
THANK YOU CONNIE.Connie wrote:I JUST GOT ONLINE FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR AND YOUR POST WAS THE FIRST I READ. THOSE ARE THE MOST AWESOME AND EXCITING PICTURES I HAVE EVER SEEN! TO GET THAT MANY PM'S THE FIRST YEAR IS JUST AMAZING. I WISH YOU ALL THE PM LUCK IN THE WORLD. KEEP YOUR EYES ON THIS FORUM FOR THE MOST REMARKABLE PEOPLE YOU WILL EVER MEET. ALL THE HELP YOU COULD EVER NEED IS RIGHT HERE IN THIS FORUM. GOOD LUCK!!
All caps used for vision impairment, not yelling
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robertgracie
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Mon Jan 15, 2018 3:32 pm
- Location: LA
TOY IN PA. THANK YOU SO MUCH I HAD NO IDEA ABOUT THE EGG SHELLSToyinPA wrote:Amazing
A couple tips....
Only put up as much housing as you think you can take care of. Otherwise you may get overwhelmed.
Save eggs shells. Rinse them well. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper & bake at 250 degrees for about 20-25 minutes. Let cool & then smash them into 1/4 inch or smaller pieces. Place them on the ground or on a platform for the Martins. They are a good source of calcium for the adults & chicks.
Toy in PA
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John & Linda - KY
- Posts: 599
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 10:19 pm
- Location: Kentucky/Hawesville
OFF-TOPIC REPLY
ROBERTGRACIE -- MY FATHER-IN-LAW IS 94 AND ALSO HAS VISION PROBLEMS. FOR FATHER'S DAY LAST YEAR MY WIFE AND I GOT HIM AN ESSENTIAL TV READER, LINK BELOW. IT HAS A MAGNIFIER THAT LOOKS SOMEWHAT LIKE A COMPUTER MOUSE, BUT LARGER, THAT PLUGS INTO A HOUSE AC OUTLET AND HAS AN ADAPTER CABLE THAT HOOKS INTO A TELEVISION. YOU PLACE THE MAGNIFIER OVER A NEWSPAPER PAGE, MAGAZINE, BOOK, ETC. AND IT DISPLAYS ON YOUR TELEVISION. YOU CAN SCAN THE MAGNIFIER OVER WHAT YOU'RE READING. WE HOOKED IT UP TO A 24" FLAT SCREEN AND HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO READ AGAIN. IT'S $18.99 FROM WALMART.COM, AND YOU CAN HAVE IT DELIVERED TO THE WALMART CLOSEST TO YOU TO AVOID SHIPPING CHARGES. HOPE THIS IS BENEFICIAL TO YOU. -- JOHN
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Drive-Medica ... /302214344
ROBERTGRACIE -- MY FATHER-IN-LAW IS 94 AND ALSO HAS VISION PROBLEMS. FOR FATHER'S DAY LAST YEAR MY WIFE AND I GOT HIM AN ESSENTIAL TV READER, LINK BELOW. IT HAS A MAGNIFIER THAT LOOKS SOMEWHAT LIKE A COMPUTER MOUSE, BUT LARGER, THAT PLUGS INTO A HOUSE AC OUTLET AND HAS AN ADAPTER CABLE THAT HOOKS INTO A TELEVISION. YOU PLACE THE MAGNIFIER OVER A NEWSPAPER PAGE, MAGAZINE, BOOK, ETC. AND IT DISPLAYS ON YOUR TELEVISION. YOU CAN SCAN THE MAGNIFIER OVER WHAT YOU'RE READING. WE HOOKED IT UP TO A 24" FLAT SCREEN AND HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO READ AGAIN. IT'S $18.99 FROM WALMART.COM, AND YOU CAN HAVE IT DELIVERED TO THE WALMART CLOSEST TO YOU TO AVOID SHIPPING CHARGES. HOPE THIS IS BENEFICIAL TO YOU. -- JOHN
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Drive-Medica ... /302214344
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K_Adams
- Posts: 65
- Joined: Mon Feb 01, 2016 1:48 am
- Location: Louisiana
- 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 RobertGrace,
I'm in the parish right next to you and live in Denham Springs. I have been a landlord for over 15 years and have a public colony at North Park by the walking path. If you need any assistance with nest checks or keeping sparrows at bay, please let me know. My husband and I would love to help a new landlord out and ensure your colony remains successful and growing. It can be tough to manage. Those round holes may cause you issues with sparrows and starlings.
Please don't hesitate to reach out. I work for a local school district and just started two new sites at two schools. I'm working with a 4-h club at one of the schools. I have an email: [email protected]. I don't get on the forum that often, but am on several Purple Martin Facebook groups and keep up with those regularly.
Good luck this year! Let us know if we can help in anyway. Krista
I'm in the parish right next to you and live in Denham Springs. I have been a landlord for over 15 years and have a public colony at North Park by the walking path. If you need any assistance with nest checks or keeping sparrows at bay, please let me know. My husband and I would love to help a new landlord out and ensure your colony remains successful and growing. It can be tough to manage. Those round holes may cause you issues with sparrows and starlings.
Please don't hesitate to reach out. I work for a local school district and just started two new sites at two schools. I'm working with a 4-h club at one of the schools. I have an email: [email protected]. I don't get on the forum that often, but am on several Purple Martin Facebook groups and keep up with those regularly.
Good luck this year! Let us know if we can help in anyway. Krista