.https://nestwatch.org/connect/blog/how- ... e-martins/
Parasites are okay
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bootjack farm
- Posts: 112
- Joined: Thu Jun 02, 2016 9:30 am
- Location: Russell, Pa
- Martin Colony History: 9 years of trying hard...finally in 2017 I had 3 pair w/ 11 babies. T-14 +4 w/ 4 Troyer horiz. gourds. Troyer Super System 24. Fast forward to 2020... 64 fledged.
Check out this study. I'm sure there's going to be universal agreement .
https://nestwatch.org/connect/blog/how- ... e-martins/
.https://nestwatch.org/connect/blog/how- ... e-martins/
Northwest PA
“ We do not recommend the use of any insecticides, pesticides, nor even Diatomaceous earth in or near a nest, no matter the stage.”
And that’s what you get as a result when you don’t use 5% Sevin dust in your nest boxes.
And that’s what you get as a result when you don’t use 5% Sevin dust in your nest boxes.
Colony started in 2002
Offering 82 Troyer Horizontal Gourds
2018 - 45 PAIR - FLEDGED 203 MARTINS
2019 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 268 MARTINS
2020 - 82 PAIR - FLEDGED 392 MARTINS
2021 - 78 PAIR - FLEDGED 349 MARTINS
2022 - 76 PAIR - FLEDGED 373 MARTINS
2023 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 355 MARTINS
*2023 Added 2”X4” wire cages to all three Troyer Gemini Gourd Racks to deal with Great Horned Owl predation on Colony.
Offering 82 Troyer Horizontal Gourds
2018 - 45 PAIR - FLEDGED 203 MARTINS
2019 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 268 MARTINS
2020 - 82 PAIR - FLEDGED 392 MARTINS
2021 - 78 PAIR - FLEDGED 349 MARTINS
2022 - 76 PAIR - FLEDGED 373 MARTINS
2023 - 68 PAIR - FLEDGED 355 MARTINS
*2023 Added 2”X4” wire cages to all three Troyer Gemini Gourd Racks to deal with Great Horned Owl predation on Colony.
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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.
Bootjack farm,
Thank you for the post. I had to giggle when I read the, I'm sure everyone will be in universal agreement. That being said, I won't open myself up with my opinion. This debate has gone on for years and I expect that the thread will get some varying insights and opinions. hang on tight, here we go.
Thank you for the post. I had to giggle when I read the, I'm sure everyone will be in universal agreement. That being said, I won't open myself up with my opinion. This debate has gone on for years and I expect that the thread will get some varying insights and opinions. hang on tight, here we go.
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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
"Nest replacements were effective at reducing the populations of fleas and blowfly larvae in the nests,"
Sevin dust takes care of the mites. This article validates the methods advocated on this forum. I didn't know fleas were an issue. I bet Sevin works on fleas also. Anyone got a flea problem? Aren't there sanitary reasons for nest changes also? Never assume that somebody else is the "expert." Just because you're a "doctor" at a university doesn't make you an expert. We are the experts and most of us know it. The martin hobby appears to be under attack by some media. They never address the martin hobby with a positive spin, always negative. Another garbage article.
Sevin dust takes care of the mites. This article validates the methods advocated on this forum. I didn't know fleas were an issue. I bet Sevin works on fleas also. Anyone got a flea problem? Aren't there sanitary reasons for nest changes also? Never assume that somebody else is the "expert." Just because you're a "doctor" at a university doesn't make you an expert. We are the experts and most of us know it. The martin hobby appears to be under attack by some media. They never address the martin hobby with a positive spin, always negative. Another garbage article.
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bootjack farm
- Posts: 112
- Joined: Thu Jun 02, 2016 9:30 am
- Location: Russell, Pa
- Martin Colony History: 9 years of trying hard...finally in 2017 I had 3 pair w/ 11 babies. T-14 +4 w/ 4 Troyer horiz. gourds. Troyer Super System 24. Fast forward to 2020... 64 fledged.
Yes, Dave this should be interesting. Holding on. 
Northwest PA
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D. Doll MN
- Posts: 108
- Joined: Sun May 08, 2005 11:05 am
- Location: ST CLOUD MN
- Martin Colony History: Formally from Willmar MN moved in 2015 and started new colony in 2019 i had 27 pair.
Very interesting article, but like most studies depends on if your 100 percent non-bias one way or another before you start a study. Even if someone else did the same study and came up with the same results I will still contunied to do nest changes. It seen to make me feel better about MYmartin colony and to me that is why I am doing it for, the Martins and me.
Dick Doll
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TheSmiths
- Posts: 336
- Joined: Mon May 12, 2014 1:02 pm
- Location: Western KY
- Martin Colony History: •
•
Tried to attract PMs 2004; began more earnest attempt in 2014.
Current home site consisting of 2 modified Trio M12Ks, 4 ChirpyNests, and assorted artificial gourds, all enclosed in owl/hawk cages.
2018 — 3 pairs
2019 — 6 pairs
2020 — 12 pairs; barred owls late in season
2021 — 17 pairs; enclosed housing
2022 – 14 pairs
2023 – 18 pairs
2024 – 18 pairs
2025 – 24 pairs
2026 –
Manage FILs colony & public park colony. Attempting to start a colony at a wildlife refuge.
~20 years of providing housing for cavity nesting birds including Bluebirds, Carolina Wrens, House Wrens, Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, Great-Crested Flycatchers, Northern Flickers, & Prothonotary Warblers.
What appears in the NestWatch article is a summary for a 3-year study that was sponsored by the PMCA. It was a single study at a single site and should be appreciated as such. A different study in a different area or under different conditions may come to a different conclusion... then again, it may come to the same conclusion. It's research; knowledge to be built upon.
The study — https://www.purplemartin.org/uploads/me ... mi-924.pdf
There have been other studies for other types of birds that have drawn a similar conclusion. Some have shown that parasites may have a positive effect on a bird's long-term health.
None of this means you should change your protocols. I'll still be doing nest changes.
The study — https://www.purplemartin.org/uploads/me ... mi-924.pdf
There have been other studies for other types of birds that have drawn a similar conclusion. Some have shown that parasites may have a positive effect on a bird's long-term health.
None of this means you should change your protocols. I'll still be doing nest changes.