No Purple Martins

[robndebby]

We've had two Purple Martins that stayed one day, and six that stayed one day. That's been it. We have had an established colony for 33 years and last year we had half of what we usually have. There were 100 less eggs than usual. We have no idea what has happened that could have caused this. Nothing has been changed, same as every year, we watch out for starlings and sparrows and get them out of here quickly. It is very disheartening. Anybody else have this happen to them? We are at a loss as to what we can do about the situation. The Martins always show up by March 17. The first two showed up March 21, then left, then the other six March 25, and they left. I looked for them today and there are none.

[vondeckbar72]

ROBNDEBBY,

I live near New Orleans and this is my colonies 12th year. I have noticed over the last 3 years a slight drop-off as well but nothing like yours. I have a small colony of 8 Troyer gourds with Excluder II openings. My crew is usually here by the first week of March with 1 or 2 couples arriving in late February. All gourds are usually filled but like I mentioned, the last 3 years I have had 1 to 2 gourds remain empty. Since I switched to the Excluder II openings Starlings and Sparrows are no longer an issue. I did read an article a few weeks back about some potential issues in their Amazon winter roost areas and lead deposits in the water system from mining and some hydro-electric damns being constructed but the research is still on-going to prove a definite link between the two. In closing let me say that last year was the first time that I had eggs laid in May, mid May at that. Before that year, my babies always laid eggs before the end of April, consistently for 11 years.

I hope things change for you.

Take care!

David

[Jones4381]

We've had two Purple Martins that stayed one day, and six that stayed one day. That's been it. We have had an established colony for 33 years and last year we had half of what we usually have. There were 100 less eggs than usual. We have no idea what has happened that could have caused this. Nothing has been changed, same as every year, we watch out for starlings and sparrows and get them out of here quickly. It is very disheartening. Anybody else have this happen to them? We are at a loss as to what we can do about the situation. The Martins always show up by March 17. The first two showed up March 21, then left, then the other six March 25, and they left. I looked for them today and there are none.

Just near your place today at Hertzlers Farm in Powhatan as I picked up 2000 minnows and 500 perch Bluegill and 25 channel cats for the pond. Pretty nasty day with the rain and wind coming in. I've only seen a few this year and just 1 staying over at my place and this is a developing colony over the last 2 years. Also a neighbor had a large colony of about 30 cavities 6-7 miles by the 'crow flying' not put back up this year by that owner. I think it's still early here in SW VA and the mountains but I'd expect a few more in your area of Central and S.Central VA by now due to slightly warmer conditions. I wouldn't be to worried (easy to say hard not too) until about April 10th or so. I see 70s consistently and full leaves/budding in the next 2 weeks. Please keep us updated on this string.

[defed]

We've had two Purple Martins that stayed one day, and six that stayed one day. That's been it. We have had an established colony for 33 years and last year we had half of what we usually have. There were 100 less eggs than usual. We have no idea what has happened that could have caused this. Nothing has been changed, same as every year, we watch out for starlings and sparrows and get them out of here quickly. It is very disheartening. Anybody else have this happen to them? We are at a loss as to what we can do about the situation. The Martins always show up by March 17. The first two showed up March 21, then left, then the other six March 25, and they left. I looked for them today and there are none.

a guy on the FB martin group just posted something about if you have that sort of experience, it's probably predation, such as snakes, raccoons etc. if i recall, he says that there is no other reason for that sort of colony decline (that many, that fast).

[robndebby]

Thanks for all the help you have sent my way. We don't have a predator problem, poles are wrapped with netting and we also have a predator guard up. Years ago we did have a snake get one Martin and we learned our lesson. We also have openings to discourage starlings and sparrows. They worked well for about three years. Now starlings have figured out how to get in and we don't think anything stops those sparrows. When they nest, we pull the nest out every evening. After about the third or fourth day, they give up and go away. We bought a new air rifle, one someone suggested on forum last year, and have been using it some. Not the greatest at the shots but we try. However, today we have a high wind adversary and I was outside looking at the sky when I heard Purple Martins singing. We lowered the poles to the gourds because of the wind but have since gone and put two of the small racks back up in the air. Hopefully they will be here in the morning.

[jhcox]

I have never really and a problem with Starlings or house Sparrows. I have 15 BB boxes and the house sparrows try to nest in them. I was at home one day and thought about away to catch the few House sparrows i have. i took a 3" in long piece of 4" round PVC the light weight thin wall kind. I placed a bread bag over one end and tapped it onto the PVC. When i have a House Sparrow that commits to a BB box I go out right at dusk and placed the opened end of the PVC over the hole and hit the side of the BB house and they fly right into the bread bag then i dispatch them quickly. I've been pretty lucky because they always go for the BB boxes instead of the PM gourds. Every year I have one pair of young Starlings that breach my crescent entrance. But i just keep pulling the nest out then they move on. I do have the nest box traps Van Eart but the House Sparrow seem to get wise to them. And I hate accidently catching my BB's. Hope this Idea helps you guys get rid of those nasty little HS.

God bless and have great Martin season.
JHCox