This is my first post in a long time. I felt a bit defeated because everywhere I look I see PM houses falling down and filled with house sparrows. Even in my neighborhood I am unable to get a colony started because of them. However sometimes you are blindsided like I was last August in a nearby town when we drove to the riverfront after a nice dinner.
I may have bitten off more than I can chew but last year when 2 of the 4 PM houses on the Louisiana riverfront blew down from neglect I had to help. I recovered the living babies and we put one of the houses back on its pole. There were 5 living babies and we put them into the compartments. The panicked parents flew in and started looking for their babies and feeding them. Although most were lost I felt good to save a few.
I live in NE Missouri near the Mississippi River. I am currently working with Louisiana and Clarksville to help establish some strong PM colonies. The Mayor of Clarksville is very interested and wants to help in her town if possible. I can't wait to get started with her but the critical colony is the one in Louisiana because of timing and there must be housing for the active colony 100 strong which will arrive in the next 30 days. Although the housing is falling down there were no house sparrows. So I am hoping to be ready to greet the fliers with new housing when they arrive.
bluebirder
Worthy of Saving the Purple Martins
-
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
Welcome back ... It has been a while since I have seen one of your post.. Glad to see you posting again.. That was so nice of you to jump in and try to save the Martins babies... Great job... And now trying to get more people involved in our favorite birds, is outstanding.. My hats is off to you.... 
Good Luck in 2018
Dave
Good Luck in 2018
Dave
PMCA Member
Little Hocking, Ohio
Little Hocking, Ohio
-
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.
Super job at saving the babies. We need everyone to be like you. Bless you.
I have gourds on PVC "tee" racks. They are free to swing. Last year in a pretty bad storm the porches on the S&K entrances were pulling the gourds to where they were swinging 90* and the entrances were straight down. Lost some eggs and a couple very new babies in that. I will have some way to reduce the swinging action this year.
The guy who got me into PMs died recently. I suppose I will have to get his gourds up this year so the returning birds are not disappointed.
RIP Darryl.
The guy who got me into PMs died recently. I suppose I will have to get his gourds up this year so the returning birds are not disappointed.
RIP Darryl.
2014 8 gourds, 3 pairs nested. Ended w/ 24 total
2015 24 gourds, 22 nests. Lotsa birds!
2016 24 gourds and good activity.
2017 32 SREH gourds. Great activity.
2018 40 SREH gourds. Good finish despite big storm damage. No more dangling gourds.
2019 56+ SREH gourds, all on 3/8 rods. Birds did very well.
2020 56 SREH gourds.
2015 24 gourds, 22 nests. Lotsa birds!
2016 24 gourds and good activity.
2017 32 SREH gourds. Great activity.
2018 40 SREH gourds. Good finish despite big storm damage. No more dangling gourds.
2019 56+ SREH gourds, all on 3/8 rods. Birds did very well.
2020 56 SREH gourds.