I have a PM house, but I am currently broke and want to get it up on a budget. I have an 8' fence post, (6' of which will be above ground) and can purchase a 10' pole to put inside it and drill into so it will telescope. That will give me 15'... Will that work?
Also, will the red roof of the house keep them away? Do I need to paint it white on top?
I was thinking I would put it along the back fence line, which would allow a flight path down the alley... However, there are power lines along the alley. Is that problematic?
Thanks for your help!
-Sheryl
Purple Martin Housing questions...
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Guest
- Attachments
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- This is the house... Whaddya think?
- MVC-652F.JPG (97.73 KiB) Viewed 2184 times
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- Here's the back of the yard... Do you foresee any problems with putting it up along this fenceline?
- MVC-653F.JPG (89.86 KiB) Viewed 2232 times
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Guest
sheryl,
I am Not sure the color of the roof as being a problem. I know that they are usually white, as a darker color may retain more heat.
As far as the fence. Are you still able to get a predator guard around the pole and still get it up and down ok. Not sure what type of animals / snakes you may have in your area.
Power lines.....The martins I had last year seem to rather enjoy them. Every morning they would gather there and in the evening before they came in for the night.
I am sure there are some good suggestions out there, Last year was my 6th yr , 1st yr to fledge (around 30).
I am sure you will get a better response, from someone who's been at it longer than I.
Good luck
craig
I am Not sure the color of the roof as being a problem. I know that they are usually white, as a darker color may retain more heat.
As far as the fence. Are you still able to get a predator guard around the pole and still get it up and down ok. Not sure what type of animals / snakes you may have in your area.
Power lines.....The martins I had last year seem to rather enjoy them. Every morning they would gather there and in the evening before they came in for the night.
I am sure there are some good suggestions out there, Last year was my 6th yr , 1st yr to fledge (around 30).
I am sure you will get a better response, from someone who's been at it longer than I.
Good luck
craig
Sheryl
I wouldn't worry too much about the roof.....I'd worry about getting it high enough in the "tight" air space you have in the picture. Try to place it into the most open part of the yard. The power lines wouldn't be an issue as much as all the other bushes and trees. But....that said, keep the sparrows and starlings out and best of luck!!! Martins are a blast!
tom
I wouldn't worry too much about the roof.....I'd worry about getting it high enough in the "tight" air space you have in the picture. Try to place it into the most open part of the yard. The power lines wouldn't be an issue as much as all the other bushes and trees. But....that said, keep the sparrows and starlings out and best of luck!!! Martins are a blast!
tom
2004 3pr 13 f 2005 18pr 80 f 2006 36 pr 138 f
2oo7 38 pr 176 f 2008 41 pr 154 f
2009 51 pr 209 f 2010 61 pr 247 f
2011 124E 122Y 55P so far
2 Sweet 16s SREH homemade
2 Trio Castles converted 24 into 12 w/porch dividers + SREH (for sale EOS )
1 towering "20" 76 total cavities
2oo7 38 pr 176 f 2008 41 pr 154 f
2009 51 pr 209 f 2010 61 pr 247 f
2011 124E 122Y 55P so far
2 Sweet 16s SREH homemade
2 Trio Castles converted 24 into 12 w/porch dividers + SREH (for sale EOS )
1 towering "20" 76 total cavities
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Guest
So ya'll think it might be better to just pop it into the middle of the backyard? As far as predator proofing... I was thinking I'd make a sort of "Elizabethan Collar" like they have at the vets to keep pets from chewing at their sutures... I'm hoping that would keep any racoons out....
Also, what do you do if other birds move in? Do you just drop it down and take out whatever they've put in?
Also, what do you do if other birds move in? Do you just drop it down and take out whatever they've put in?
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Guest
Sheryl,
I'll to try to answer 2 of your questions. If you make an "Elizabethan collar," it should be at least 30" in diameter. You should try to prevent starlings and house sparrows from moving in by shooting or trapping and then euthanizing them. If native birds move in, they and their nests and eggs should not be disturbed.
However, before you go too far with this house, is it suitable for martins? If you haven't done this, you might compare the characteristics of your house with the PMCA's standards for purple martin housing (there's a reference in Question 9 in Martin FAQ at the top of this page). Especially see Compartment size, Entrance hole, Vertical accessibility, Wooden houses, and Compartment access.
It's hard to become a martin landlord on a budget, but what I did was find 3 Trio Grandpa houses (2 were derelicts) which were unsuitably sited and not being used by martins, and ask the owners for them. The derelicts were in front of a hospital and a nursing home. The other, in good shape, was owned by a neighbor. I refurbished them using replacement parts from the manufacturer, expanded the compartments and hung 2 gourds under each.
Maybe I was lucky, but thousands of these houses were made over decades, and come close to meeting the PMCA's standards. You also may be able to find and obtain one or more as I did. The manufacturer of these houses is now called Nature House, and the house (with pole and pulley) is designated the MSS-12. You can see what one looks like at the PMCA Shop at the top of the page.
Tony
I'll to try to answer 2 of your questions. If you make an "Elizabethan collar," it should be at least 30" in diameter. You should try to prevent starlings and house sparrows from moving in by shooting or trapping and then euthanizing them. If native birds move in, they and their nests and eggs should not be disturbed.
However, before you go too far with this house, is it suitable for martins? If you haven't done this, you might compare the characteristics of your house with the PMCA's standards for purple martin housing (there's a reference in Question 9 in Martin FAQ at the top of this page). Especially see Compartment size, Entrance hole, Vertical accessibility, Wooden houses, and Compartment access.
It's hard to become a martin landlord on a budget, but what I did was find 3 Trio Grandpa houses (2 were derelicts) which were unsuitably sited and not being used by martins, and ask the owners for them. The derelicts were in front of a hospital and a nursing home. The other, in good shape, was owned by a neighbor. I refurbished them using replacement parts from the manufacturer, expanded the compartments and hung 2 gourds under each.
Maybe I was lucky, but thousands of these houses were made over decades, and come close to meeting the PMCA's standards. You also may be able to find and obtain one or more as I did. The manufacturer of these houses is now called Nature House, and the house (with pole and pulley) is designated the MSS-12. You can see what one looks like at the PMCA Shop at the top of the page.
Tony
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Bob Rogers
- Posts: 226
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 6:48 pm
- Location: Arnold, Missouri
Sheryl,
Your house and pole should do the job. Your photos look like you have trees/large shrubs encroaching on the PM's fly-zones; not the best situation --- especially for a new colony. Give it a go, and good luck.
Your house and pole should do the job. Your photos look like you have trees/large shrubs encroaching on the PM's fly-zones; not the best situation --- especially for a new colony. Give it a go, and good luck.
Bob R.