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Welcome to the internet's gathering place for Purple Martin enthusiasts
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DonDon
Posts: 26
Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2021 1:18 pm
Location: Morton Mississippi

I've been reading for a few days and decided to join up.

I grew up in Newton Mississippi and my Dad always grew goards and hung them each spring for the Martins

I have so many fond memories of them flying around and their songs. Even the dive bombing me while I was tilling the garden once the fledgelings were trying to fly was fun.

My wife and I just moved onto 42 acres of land in Far West Scott County Mississippi with alot of open area around us and I had decided to try and get a few PM in.

There was already a Heath 12 room, 2 story house at the new place, but it was to close to the trees and it appeared to low.

I moved it out in the pasture where it's wide open and raised it up so about 15 feet. Even put a 5 foot long 1/2" wooden dowel extending out for them to perch.

When I took the house down to clean and move, there were only 2 compartments that had a next in it. Not even sure if it was Martins since we moved in late September.

Just wanted to introduce myself and say hello.

I have my fingers crossed I get a pair or 2 this year.

martin-1.jpg
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deancamp
Posts: 873
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2016 9:17 pm
Location: Raymore, MO

Welcome DonDon, If you are trying to attract birds for the first time you should be playing the Dawn Song from a little before daylight until dark. A couple decoys and prenesting with pine straw will help as well. It makes your house look lived in and Martins like to be where other Martins are. Do you have a plan to lower your house for nest checks, also a predator guard is strongly recommended. I assume along with your house being in the open is relatively close to your house as well? I wish you good luck.
Jeff
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DonDon
Posts: 26
Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2021 1:18 pm
Location: Morton Mississippi

My first go around this year. Kinda keep my fingers crossed. I’ll be more prepared next year for sure. I’m trying to get a couple raised beds snd a 30x50 foot garden ready all at the same time. Had to build a 10x12 greenhouse as soon as we got here. It’s been nonstop so far
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SSMartin
Posts: 463
Joined: Sun Jul 21, 2019 6:05 pm
Location: FL

Expanding those compartments to double rooms will increase the chance of birds staying. 6"x6" compartments are just so cramped. If you have the time to expand the rooms you should.
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Dave Duit
Posts: 2146
Joined: Tue Nov 25, 2003 2:02 pm
Location: Iowa / Nevada
Martin Colony History: In 2026, 88 pair with 333 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 Don,
SSMartin is right when he says expand those compartment to a 12 inch depth. You will lose some rooms, but gain martins easier. I should back up here and say, welcome to the martin hobby. There is much to read and learn on the website. Lots of stuff like sparrow control, supplement feeding during cold and rain days, housing requirements, etc.. It can make a guys head spin just thinking about all the fun things to do with making it the best for your new colony of martins in the future. Congrats on becoming a new member and welcome aboard.
ImageMite control, heat venting, predator protection and additional feeding during bad weather add up to success.
ImageIPMO LOGO1.jpg
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DonDon
Posts: 26
Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2021 1:18 pm
Location: Morton Mississippi

I’ve got bottle neck goats seeds in my greenhouse now sprouting. Next year will be all goards. 12-15 of them
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flyin-lowe
Posts: 3792
Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:49 am
Location: Indiana/Henry Co.

Welcome, being in the south you could very possibly have some martins this year. I would add some type of predator guard above the wood fence post. It needs to be high enough up that an animal can't get on the top of the post and then reach the guard to pull itself up. Somethings can wait till next year but a predator guard she be done sooner rather than later. It would be a shame to get a few pair and then lose them to a snake, racoon, or squirrel...
2026 HOSP 29
2025 62 pair HOSP 20
2024 60 pair, HOSP 44
2023 60+ pair, HOSP 8
2022 60 nests with 262 eggs, HOSP 14
2021 62 pair, HOSP 9
2020 42 nest, HOSP 8
2019- 31 pair
2018- 15 pair 49 fledged
2017 3 SY pair, 12 eggs , fledged 10. 4 additional lone SY's
2016 1 pair fledged 4
2015 Visitors
2014 Visitors
2013 Moved 6 miles, 1 pair fledged 2.
2012 30 pair fledged 100.
2011 12 pair 43 fledged.
2010 5 pair 14 fledged.
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DonDon
Posts: 26
Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2021 1:18 pm
Location: Morton Mississippi

Snake maybe but I have 2 Feist squirrel dogs that keep most critters ran off. Not many squirrels here anyhow. This was all plowed fields until 25 years ago and the squirrels never made it to my place in numbers. I do know there’s a 5 foot chicken snake. Saw him this past fall hiding in my compost pile. Thanks fir the advise. I have a lot to learn
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4th Gen Martin Fan
Posts: 1498
Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
Location: TN/Collierville
Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.

DonDon,
Welcome to the PMCA Forum!
My Father usually had a garden near his purple martin house. A rat snake was welcomed in his garden and was usually 5-6 feet long. He had a pole guard on the martin house pole to keep the snake out of the martin house. As far as we know, everyone lived peacefully under those circumstances. The snake never bothered Dad, Dad appreciated the snake in his garden, and each year his martin colony fledged a lot of purple martins.
I concur with everyone's advise to expand the compartments and install SREH (European Starling Resistant Entrance Hole) entrances.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
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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

Welcome to the forum and thanks for joining the Martin landlord community. They need all of us, and more. As others have said, I would expand the compartments in the house to make the compartments larger, and you will have a better chance of getting visitors to stay. Good luck to you.
Tor
Marlboro County
South Carolina

Purple Martins Of South Carolina
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