Newb with questions... Colony location

[WI/MI Border]

Hello, I'm new here. I'm on what I think is near the northern limits of PMs. At least historically. With the climate changing I wouldn't be surprised if it has inched farther north toward Lake Superior. I'm on the WI/MI border, about 100 miles north of Green Bay. I have been an Eastern Bluebird landlord for a couple seasons and I'm in the process of building an eight unit PM condo.

My question... Can I put a house in a less than desirable spot and expect to get some PMs? What I mean is I am in a residential area and mostly in the woods, though we have open spaces here and there between homes. I know this isn't ideal. There are much better spots to place the house nearby, but I wouldn't be able to enjoy the birds more than an hour or so each day. In addition, using a PM audio lure would be difficult as the ideal spots are along the Menominee River out in the sticks about two miles from home. They're nice open areas. One spot, a retired mill landfill is a great spot for my bluebirds. I'm guessing it is 30 to 40 acres of clear field. I just don't know if the two species would tolerate each other. The good thing is I'm out checking the bluebird trail there at least every other day while on my hikes with my pup.

Anyone have success in areas that are typically not ideal for PMs?

Thanks, Tim

[LCM]

Mr Tim good evening, I too, like you am new to this forum. I want to begin first by saying, I should be the last one to be giving advice when it comes to guidance and knowledge of the Purple Martin.
So everything I am writing, is just opinion, not facts.
First let me say, I love Purple Martin’s so much that I regret ever putting up the first Bluebird box BECAUSE, over the last few years my Martin population has diminished.
For sure I know bluebirds will fight Martins and more times than one bluebirds have won out.
Other purple Martin landlords may or may not agree that Bluebirds and Martins can cohabitate just fine. For a few years mine did until all of a sudden they just didn’t, for whatever reason/reasons that they didn’t, I still don’t know why. I just know I prefer being landlord to Martins way better than bluebirds.
Not to undermine your one hour worth of enjoyment of PM’s, why would you go to the trouble of trying to enlist them in an undesirable area for such a very short period of time out of a day? Just curious, not trying to be ugly.
Additionally, I have no idea how populated your area is known for PM activity. If you don’t know this answer either, you may want to take a drive and do a survey of PM houses and activity. My question is, is are there enough food sources in your area for PM’s to try and attract them.
I hope I am asking the questions in a way that you may understand my intent for asking.
I do hope others weigh in so you may be guided to make a right decision.
God truly blessed us by creating ALL these magnificent feathered friends.
Sincerely,
Linda from Many La.

[WI/MI Border]

[quote...
...
Not to undermine your one hour worth of enjoyment of PM’s, why would you go to the trouble of trying to enlist them in an undesirable area for such a very short period of time out of a day? Just curious, not trying to be ugly.

Thanks, ask away. I don't take internet forums that seriously. I'm not in this for the social, or anti-social conversations that are fairly common on forums. I hope this forum sticks to civil back and forth chatter.

I'm not sure which area you are referring to as "undesirable". My yard which is not ideal, or, out in the sticks by the river. They both could match that description depending on what you're looking for. I suspect that my success will not compare to landlords in Louisiana or Illinois or southern Wisconsin. Even so, It's worth the effort for me.

I'm mostly asking about location due to the fact that every beginning martin article I read says something like "locate in open fields, so many feet from homes, maybe near a water source". The closed landfill is ideal in those regards, less the nearby human dwellings. I don't mind having to hike to the location. I am just thinking an audio "lure" would be difficult to manage out there. I'm hoping to hear from some members that have had success in non-ideal locations.

Additionally, I have no idea how populated your area is known for PM activity. If you don’t know this answer either, you may want to take a drive and do a survey of PM houses and activity. My question is, is are there enough food sources in your area for PM’s to try and attract them.

I've lived here for most of my adult life and I have never seen a martin house, or a Purple Martin in the area. And I have looked. I'm encouraged by an experienced PM landlord in Escanaba, MI (about 50 miles east on Lake Michigan) who has had success for years. Escanaba is near the northern limits of commonly published Martin range. So I hope I have success. I've just started conversing with him and hope to learn much more.


I hope I am asking the questions in a way that you may understand my intent for asking.
I do hope others weigh in so you may be guided to make a right decision.
God truly blessed us by creating ALL these magnificent feathered friends.
Sincerely,
Linda from Many La.
[/quote]

[LCM]

Mr Tim, I clearly have understood your explanations and you have a gift of conveying answers.
I believe your thoughts of undesirable definitely needs a chance. Gosh at all the mistakes I’ve made and I just have to believe that God who created these birds, cares for them when humans like myself fail.
The Bible clarifies that not one of them falls from the skies without his knowledge.
I said all that because I know you’re concerned making a right decision. I wish I can tell you what to do and it be the right guidance.
Others that are far more experienced will weigh in Mr Tim, I’m sure.
Please keep us all posted and thank you for not being outdone with me for asking crazy questions, lol
God Bless you Mr Tim!!
Linda Moore from Many, La.

[C.C.Martins]

Tim,
Welcome! I'd give it a good shot, why not. Id not be dissuaded by the "location, location, location" science so much. Our location isn't wide open fields, its smack dab in a neighborhood, yet our colony does well. In fact, if someone would have said years ago, "not a chance Tom" id have believed it based on reading. I started with a small heath, now gourds galore.

Me, id want the colony location close to your dwelling though. You can monitor and manage with ease, and the martins like our presence.

Hope this helps ease your mind, its a worthy endeavor and hope your rewarded.
Tom

[WI/MI Border]

...I'd give it a good shot, why not. Id not be dissuaded by the "location, location, location" science so much. Our location isn't wide open fields, its smack dab in a neighborhood, yet our colony does well. In fact, if someone would have said years ago, "not a chance Tom" id have believed it based on reading. I started with a small heath, now gourds galore....

Thanks Tom. I'm moving closer to giving my home yard a try. Bluebirds have nested in my BB houses in the yard but last year the little stinker bird, a wren, chased them off before they finished their nest and filled every box with sticks. Some of them were so stuffed they had sticks falling out of the entrance . I don't know what the stinkin wren will think of the martin house but I suspect I'll be busy cleaning out sticks again. The wrens had seven little ones fledged out of one box last summer before I blocked off the holes so they wouldn't have a second batch. Anyone have wren "problems" with their PM houses?

[LCM]

I don’t Mr Tim. I have wrens but they seem to find other places to raise their babies. This is a first for me hearing wrens taking BB houses, plus I have read similar accounts on this forum. Yes sir, I don’t blame you, I would be busy correcting that problem too. Mr Tim, I will be tuned in following you with your PM endeavor. I am excited for you to begin this adventure.
Linda Moore Many La

[Thomas Maddox]

I and my in-laws are in a neighborhood (about .6 acre lots). We both had no problems getting PMs to come. There are plenty of flying insects and ponds nearby. It does take some landlords several years before they get them, but it is worth the wait. Good luck! Lots of knowledgeable folks here to help you along the way.

[C.C.Martins]

Tim,
One of our members, flyin-low had a problem with wrens and martin houses, hope he chimes in. But his was more of them pecking martin eggs, anyway more experience with the devils than i.
Filled the box! Wow, I wonder why they would fill it brimming? I read they select a number of locations, add sticks to impress a mate, but I wonder too with that many sticks do they also intend to dissuade other birds?
I also think you will find a balance with BBs and eventually martins, they can cause problems.
Suggest perhaps a try with the martin dawn song recording to aid their attraction?
Best,
Tom