your thoughts on martins in town?

chickadee · Sat Mar 03, 2012 11:10 am

does anyone have martins in town? my mom lives in town by the city pool and park.with alit of woods and a large creek resevore.she wants to take me up on trying to get martins their.i laugh and say if i lived their i could do it.lola} so she wants to buy a great system and try.anyone think their will be luck their? anyone live in town with martins? also theirs no trees in her yard.everything is layed out perfect and water just that its town.

John Miller · Sat Mar 03, 2012 12:03 pm

I've thought on this topic a lot, and most things purple martin.

urban areas certainly host martins, and I suspect martins feel safer there from predators.

The housing I manage in St. louis is in the heart of the metro area; of course most of it is in parks or golf courses, but not all. I know of some occupied houses on a restaurant parking lot in very urban south St. Louis, but park colonies are nearby.

The challenge to attract martins in town becomes adequate open flyways, and I suspect it's sometimes initially difficult to attract them because it may be hard for them to spot the housing among the urban clutter -- just a theory -- but again, martins surely like the city here in St. Louis. Chicago also hosts many martins in parts of the city.

Of course martins need a large water source nearby, and usually there's one within flying distance, even in the city.

Another habitat requirement we tend to overlook is the need for a safe place to land on the ground and collect nest material and grit. city martins sometimes put themselves at risk of getting struck by cars if they alight on parking lots or streets, but generally seem to find an open field somewhere where they are fairly safe.

If you have an open city location...Go for it!

John Miller

ToyinPA · Sat Mar 03, 2012 6:51 pm

I live in a small town & have a colony. My yard is 150' x 40'. I have 3 houses, closest 2 are about 20 yards from my house. I have no trees, but next door neighbor does. The river is about 1 mile away, and there is a large creek about 1 mile away.

One thing my martins use allot is the power lines. One was taken down that crossed my property, when neighbor got new power line. So we took the old power line & attached it to our house & garage so they'd still have it to use.

Every year I cut up twigs from shrubs & lay them on my back sidewalk for the martins. I gather clumps of dried grass, straw, etc & lay it on the sidewalk for them. This keeps them off the street. I put pine straw (white pine needles) in the nests before they arrive so they have a comfy dry nest to start.

I do have an alley right next to me, where they gather mud for the nests.

If martins decide a site is good they'll move in.

I say go for it.

ToyinPA

Frank Hargis-IL · Sat Mar 03, 2012 7:44 pm

We live in Flora, Illinois, a small town of approx. 5000. This will be our 21st year hosting martins. Last year we had 50 nesting pair. As you can see by the photo our site is a long way from what the experts say you must have. This photo was taken six years ago, so the trees are even closer now. Also note the gourd on the shepard's hook. (actually there are now two of these) These are just about eye level and have nesting pairs every year.

Good luck,

Frank

Dave Reynolds · Sat Mar 03, 2012 7:58 pm

Frank -- What a beautiful place.. I bet you sit there all summer long. Enjoy

Dave -- in Little Hocking, Ohio

Linda Reynolds · Sat Mar 03, 2012 8:12 pm

Frank, you are so right............The specifics of the local are not even close to what the experts say it should be. However, it looks like paradise to me. I hope you enjoy the time spent with your martins........

Greg · Sat Mar 03, 2012 8:16 pm

Dave, you're right, definitely not "what the experts" would say, but WOW, that is beautiful! Looks like a photo from better homes and gardens magazine. It looks very cozy and I bet the martins feel very safe there and that is probably a huge attracting factor. I also notice that there is an open fly way. So even though there are trees close-by, the martins can swoop in easily. How amazingly beautiful:)

Greg · Sat Mar 03, 2012 8:17 pm

Dave, you're right, definitely not "what the experts" would say, but WOW, that is beautiful! Looks like a photo from better homes and gardens magazine. It looks very cozy and I bet the martins feel very safe there and that is probably a huge attracting factor. I also notice that there is an open fly way. So even though there are trees close-by, the martins can swoop in easily. How amazingly beautiful:)

Greg · Sat Mar 03, 2012 8:18 pm

Dave, you're right, definitely not "what the experts" would say, but WOW, that is beautiful! Looks like a photo from better homes and gardens magazine. It looks very cozy and I bet the martins feel very safe there and that is probably a huge attracting factor. I also notice that there is an open fly way. So even though there are trees close-by, the martins can swoop in easily. How amazingly beautiful:)

Laverne · Sat Mar 03, 2012 8:53 pm

chickadee wrote:does anyone have martins in town? my mom lives in town by the city pool and park.with alit of woods and a large creek resevore.she wants to take me up on trying to get martins their.i laugh and say if i lived their i could do it.lola} so she wants to buy a great system and try.anyone think their will be luck their? anyone live in town with martins? also theirs no trees in her yard.everything is layed out perfect and water just that its town.

Chickadee - If it were my mom, I would do whatever she wanted. But, to answer your question: I have seen many Purple Martin houses in town. My first martin house was in the tiny backyard of a duplex. Yes, first year we had resident PMs raise their young in our little house. So, my vote is another "go for it"!!! And have fun!!

Dave Duit · Sun Mar 04, 2012 8:50 pm

My mentor, Don Dearborn, from years past had one of the largest colonies in central Iowa. He had to wait 7 years for his first pair, but the colony grew into a huge colony. His back yard was about 100X100 feet with a garage off to the left and his house to the back and trees to the right. It was in town next to some electric wires for the martins to perch. The experts say wide open place for the martins, but not every location is the same as Dons.

GeneP · Sun Mar 04, 2012 9:36 pm

I live in town, trees everywhere and two ok flyways. Basically my site breaks most of the rules. I do admit, I worked at it. See it here:

http://g.co/maps/ur3t7

The street view is pretty old. The gas company dug up our front lawns for new gas lines.

chickadee · Wed Mar 14, 2012 9:50 am

thank you for all the replys.and for the pictures.after seeing pretty sure it can be done their.and frank i know everyone has already said it,but what a nice sight in a tight place.looks great.and i notice the poles dent look that tall. its very nice thanks for sharing.someone shopuld make a post where everyone shares the picture of their site.