Newbie with Questions

[Guest]

Hello all, and thanks for a Great Forum!

I live near Godfrey, Illinois and have two fields by my house. A couple days ago, I was mowing one, and noticed 6 or 7 seven PMs swooping all around me catching the insects I was stirring up. I had thought about putting up a Martin house in the past, but due to all the "Irons I have in the Fire", I never got serious about it until now.

So I did some searching on the internet, and discovered this site, and have been reading and learning all I can. I was quite surprised to learn that there's a lot more to attracting PMs than just putting up a house - a lot more!

I think I have a perfect location for a house, at least according to the recommendations: 60' from nearest tree, 100' from the house at the corner of a swimming pool.

I've already investigated a repeating sparrow trap, and plan on getting some type of "white" house with 12" compartments, SREH entrances, a predator guard mounted on a winch-contolled pole.

Do you think I still have time to attact some PMs this year, or should I wait till next to put up a house?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance for any help!

[John Miller]

Dennis

You've probably got about three weeks, or into the first week of June, to attract sub adults in this area.

As one has to order most houses, you could try getting one of the inexpensive S&K houses from Wal Mart or other quick source -- could even drive over to O'Fallon, Mo., (headquarters) -- then get it up in next few days just to see if you get visitors this year. But if the rush stresses you, come over to Forest Park and enjoy our martins there and keep learning all you can this year. (St. Louis area folks also should go south from the park two miles on Kingshighway to O'Connel's Restuarant where the owner has two old Trios in bad location (enclosed by buildings), but covered in martins every year.)

Now, I'm worried whether those were martins or barn swallows you saw. Barn swallows tend to chase mowers and feed lower, but may martins feed lower in bad weather sometimes. There are martins though in southern Illinois, but like most areas they need informed landlords, so welcome aboard.

John Miller,
St. Louis

[Guest]

Thanks for the reply, John!

I'm sure these were PMs; they had to be adult males as they were the prettiest purple I've ever seen. (If they were inmature, or females, I wouldn't have had a clue they were PMs, especially in my learning stage.)

Like you, we've had tons of rain and downright cold weather the past few days. so I'm sure they were glad I was stirring up the insects and providing them an easy meal. I was surprised to learn that Martins can starve under these harsh conditions, so I'm glad I could help, at least temporarily.

What is a good box I can order? (It seems like a pole with a pulley system would be the easiet to lower/raise to check on the birds.)

I want to start out right, and do all I can to attract a coloney and help the PMs. Since I don't have much time left this year, maybe I'll wait till next spring, or put one up later when I get caught up on my "honey-do's", and keep it closed up till next spring.

I can, and will, get a sparrow trap and start thinning those out around here. Maybe I can help someone else who may have problems with them in my area. (They've tormented my Bluebirds too.)

I have a Bluebird box up, and will put up some more around my fields so they'll have their own housing next spring.

Thanks again for the great advice, and taking the time to type it.

- Dennis

[Nanette]

Hi,
If you are looking for a house, check out the PMCA store. You really can't go wrong with a selection from them. The only thing is that if you order one of the Trio houses, you may want to enlarge the cavities.