This past week-end my husband and I were in southeast Louisiana. On Sat. morning when we opened the drapes to sit and drink our coffee, we were treated to a great aerial show by purple martins. We were on the fifth floor and it felt like we could just reach out and touch them as they constantly flew by our window. It was the neatest feeling. Later on that day, I discovered 7 pm houses in the front gardens of the hotel. And, of course, on Sunday a.m. we got the same treat. It was really great watching them fly "on their level".
Lanell
Martins at our hotel
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Laverne
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
- Location: TX/Alvin
- Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
Ahhhh, Lanell... and may I ask which hotel was that???
Those folks in Louisiana are Purple in their hearts...
I am so glad you got to see that. I am "still" hoping and praying that you will successfully attract a "huge" Purple Martin Colony of your own one day!
You're in a great spot for that... Good luck to you in all your endeavors.
Those folks in Louisiana are Purple in their hearts...
I am so glad you got to see that. I am "still" hoping and praying that you will successfully attract a "huge" Purple Martin Colony of your own one day!
You're in a great spot for that... Good luck to you in all your endeavors.
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
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Al Denton
- Posts: 1468
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 7:31 pm
- Location: Carolina Shores NC
- Martin Colony History: New site and housing for 2018...Trendsetter 12. 1 pair of subs. Fledged 5...2019...11 pairs
Lanell, Pretty cool isn't it? Last winter we "bit the bullet" and bought oceanfront at Myrtle Beach. We finally closed on the thing three weeks ago and went down for our first week's stay. I got a real treat to find that from our 12th floor patio I can sit and watch a mix of swallows and martins feeding most all day! They were feeding at eye level plucking insects out of the air right in front of my eyes. You could almost reach out and grab one. Can't wait to get back. Al
2018-new site...1 pair
2019-11 pairs
2020-15 pairs
2019-11 pairs
2020-15 pairs
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Laverne
- Posts: 2216
- Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:58 pm
- Location: TX/Alvin
- Martin Colony History: Erected 1st house in 1997. Birds were checking it out before Mike got down from the ladder. Six cavities had a little colony 1st year. Grown to 88 cavities all gourds with near 100% occupancy. Most important factor for success is rain = bugs.
I haven't been to any 12 story hotels, but we've been up on the roof putting down plywood decking and the Purple Martins from our colony cruise right next to us at eye level.
It's a great view! ...and sometimes you can hear their beaks click together as they snatch a bug...
It's a great view! ...and sometimes you can hear their beaks click together as they snatch a bug...
Sincerely,
Laverne
Laverne
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Guest
Oh yes, Laverne, you may 
We were in Kinder, La. with some friends of ours at the Coushatta Grand Casino. TOO MUCH fun was had by all. 
I truly was not expecting to see martins. I thought they were probably all gone. To my surprise and happiness they were not. I could go back and just sit and watch them.
Lanell
We were in Kinder, La. with some friends of ours at the Coushatta Grand Casino. TOO MUCH fun was had by all. I truly was not expecting to see martins. I thought they were probably all gone. To my surprise and happiness they were not. I could go back and just sit and watch them.Lanell