This is a very interesting article about Purple Martins that nest in trees on the west coast and the issues they now face due to elimination of their nesting sites..
https://www.independent.com/2023/09/14/ ... alls-park/
Purple Martins in Santa Barbara
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Sharon - Central TX
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- Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2004 9:20 pm
- Location: Central TX
- Martin Colony History: All Troyer Horizontal Gourds with Conley Entrances
PMCA Member since 2004
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scottfreidhof
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- Location: Kentucky/Morehead
They are so fortunate to have a temporal difference in nest initiation between starlings and martins. Makes for a lot less stress. Nojoqui Falls Park looks very nice on Google Earth with the large scattered trees. Conservation of the large western sycamore trees in the park is first priority of course. But given the declining numbers, I hope the local Audubon members are trying to entice the martins with some natural-looking manmade housing. Seems it would take just one pair of receptive martins to get the ball rolling. Back in college I hollowed out a 2-foot long section of tree trunk and turned it into a wood duck nesting box. I used a chisel and hammer to hollow out each half.
The Audubon members could start with a 3-foot long tree trunk about 10 inches in diameter. Cut the trunk in half with a chainsaw or better yet a thin band saw. Then hollow out the center of each half leaving about 2 inches of wood around the outer edge. Insert wooden floors to create multiple compartments and secure the halves back together again. Doors could be cut out for each compartment around the entrance holes. Mount the 3-foot nesting log vertically on top of a pole. It would be worth a try to save this population.
The Audubon members could start with a 3-foot long tree trunk about 10 inches in diameter. Cut the trunk in half with a chainsaw or better yet a thin band saw. Then hollow out the center of each half leaving about 2 inches of wood around the outer edge. Insert wooden floors to create multiple compartments and secure the halves back together again. Doors could be cut out for each compartment around the entrance holes. Mount the 3-foot nesting log vertically on top of a pole. It would be worth a try to save this population.