Sublime to Rediculous - our new set up

[Guest]

Of course this is our FIRST first setup.
Hoping for guidance, praying for Martins-
Please be lavish with your criticisms/suggestions.
Corner of new home is JUST 30 feet from pole - al other points wide open.
Thank you in advance for any advice.
Dunagans

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

Beautiful, my only suggestion is to get about 3 or 4 times that many gourds, you will need them at that location, the martins will flock to it...Beautiful rack also...where is the boat?..smile

[Guest]

Hi ,
That looks good to me! How high is it ? I think just having something up to start with is the key. Good luck!!!!!

Gourdo

[Guest]

Thanks Emil,
the boat is just a canoe which will arrive when we move in. The house cost so much we can't afford the boat!! As soon as we get landscaped, we will set another pole, but unlikely in time for this season. I'll be thrilled if someone even visits this one.
and Thanks Gourdo -
Height above the lake surface is about 17' plus, but only about 14' above the bank.
Thanks both for the input.
Dunagans

[Guest]

Looks good, My concern is if any fledglings jump early possibly due to mites...... will they end up in the water? I couldn't tell if the front end of the dock--where the pole is --is over land or water. Please don't forget some kind of snake /predator guard on the pole too. Love the fountain rack! and finally.... make sure it's stable or attached very securely. Best of luck!

[Laverne]

Those look like Purple Martins sitting on those gourds. That is indeed a handsome gourd rack and you couldn't have picked a more perfect site.

All my critiqueing is wasted at this point. Obviously, the only ones that truly matter have accepted your site. Number 1 task of attracting PMs has been accomplished. Congratulations - many will tell you that is easier said than done.

Now, all you have to worry about is keeping them safe and insuring their success and they will be with you for the rest of their lives.

Enjoy!

[Guest]

I cannot tell a lie. The birds are (apparently) very realistic decoys just purchased from PMCA!
The setup was installed with two very secure brackets screwed into the piling with long, corrosion resistant screws in four places each. My husband "Mr. Hardware Overkill" never built anything for less than 80 knots wind! He was also concerned about fledglings in the lake so he located it on an inner piling.
This guy is excited as I am but would never admit it. He is being very "patient" with me during this project, but I see him looking at the sky every time we drive to the construction site. What a great guy!
Thank you for your feedback, and go ahead with any observations!
Dunagans

[John Atteberry]

Hello Sarah,
I was wondering how everything was going down there! All I have to say is WOW!!! That is a great set-up and an open area! If I was were you all, I get another rack ordered bacause you will be flooded with martins! Good luck! John!

[Laverne]

I cannot tell a lie. The birds are (apparently) very realistic decoys just purchased from PMCA!
He was also concerned about fledglings in the lake so he located it on an inner piling.
This guy is excited as I am but would never admit it. He is being very "patient" with me during this project, but I see him looking at the sky every time we drive to the construction site. What a great guy!
Thank you for your feedback, and go ahead with any observations!
Dunagans

OK, I see -- no living, breathing, flying, PMs, yet. They will find you.

As for the fledglings in the lake - remember that a Purple Martin nestling will stay inside the nest cavity until ready to fly well - provided nothing forces it out prematurely. Keep the nest competitors and the parasites (mites especially) out of their nests and they should never touch the water. I would watch them closely when their parents bring them back at the end of the day (after they fledge). That is when I have seen them have the most trouble. They have difficulty negotiating the housing sometimes and will become exhausted and fall to the ground or the water at this time. Plus, any other nesting PMs with young still inside their nests will defend their cavities against fledglings. Any fledgling landing in the wrong spot will be immediately knocked from its perch by these defenders. Keep a long pole handy for retrieval from the water and return to the gourd. Seems I recall somebody using one of those golf ball retrieving poles that telescopes...

I will be very surprised if you don't end up with multiple pairs this first year. Enjoy...