We are new to the Purple Martin scene and could really use some advice.
I initially ordered and erected a barn style house. I was completely underwhelmed by the quality and the Martins seemed to feel the same way about it.
After several weeks of passionate campaigning, I was successful at convincing my husband to make me a better martin colony pole, taller and with hay rake tines welded to it. The second one we erected is more like the ones my grandmother had around her house when I was little. I have eight gourds on it - 4 natural, 3 Royal Wing plastic gourds, and one other plastic gourd my neighbor gave me.
I play the dawnsong every morning, daytime chatter all day and I pray for success every night
Yesterday evening we were extremely excited to observe 6 birds fly into our gourds and we believe they stayed the night.
They seem to prefer the natural gourds.
I had not added any type of perch, nor roof to keep rain out nor any other type of improvement to the natural gourds.
I have a few questions I hope someone might help me with.
Since they stayed overnight in my gourds, can I assume they will stay and raise their little families here with us?
Should I alter the natural gourds even tho the birds seem to have expressed a preference for them?
If I do indeed need to add drip caps, porches or what ever else, what type of adhesive should I use?
