I'm back! New residence means new colony.

Welcome to the internet's gathering place for Purple Martin enthusiasts
Post Reply
Virgil McCoy
Posts: 302
Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2010 3:06 pm
Location: Louisiana/Alexandria
Martin Colony History: Purple Martin Landlord since 2006

Please wish me luck gang in trying to establish a new colony within my back yard here in Alexandria, Louisiana. It was really hard leaving a colony upwards of 50 pair in DeRidder, but happy to have assisted in the growth of our beloved Purple Martins
there. :grin:
Proud to be a fourth generation Purple Martin landlord.
Top
klcretired
Posts: 2174
Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2003 3:06 am
Location: Grand Prairie,Tx

you will have great luck this year...jus keep on keepin' on!!!!!
If you build it they will come!!!!!
Pictures Taken with Canon Rebel XT Digital using a Sigma 50-500 Long Lens.

Wishing everyone a Great Martin Year
Happy Martining for 2022 to everyone,

K.C.

[email protected]
Top
Craig Haddox
Posts: 444
Joined: Sun Mar 14, 2004 5:13 pm
Location: Missouri Washington

Virgil, good luck getting a colony started. Being in Louisiana you should have a good chance.
Top
4th Gen Martin Fan
Posts: 1498
Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 1:19 pm
Location: TN/Collierville
Martin Colony History: I have been exposed to purple martin sounds in utero when my mother went out to get my father away from his martin colony.
I played around the martin colony every summer and watched as my father maintained his colony. In the late 50's until the 70's he did not notice European Starlings in south Texas.
When old enough, I helped maintain his colony. My primary task was eliminating English House Sparrows with a 1956 Benjamin 317 .177 air rifle.
When I settled into my own home, I started my first colony with an original Trio Castle and Trio Grandpa. When I moved again, I did not put up any martin houses. Frustration with European Starlings in the Southeast US was overwhelming.
Found PMCA Forum and learned about modern enlarged compartments and SREHs.
Inherited my father's last martin house, a Trio Grandma, modified it to modern specifications and have had good results since then.

Virgil,
I am sure that there are many other current landlords like you and I whose families have hosted purple martins over multiple generations.
I am glad to know that your family has also enjoyed them.
I am working on my children to continue the family tradition. None of them are old enough to have a stable home to establish a colony yet.
Did anyone assume your colony in DeRidder, LA?
Mark.
Mark.
Firm believer in HOSP/EUST Control, Enlarged Compartments, SREHs, Pole Predator Guards, Owl/Hawk Guards, Mite/Parasite Control, Housing Insulation, and Vents for Compartment Cooling.
PMCA Member.
Top
chickadee
Posts: 1128
Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2011 3:02 pm
Location: ohio

Before I moved to my home now. I lived about 20 miles away. Got my first pair of martins my first year trying. Then I moved here and got my first pair my first year. I was so blessed. And their is times I have wanted to sell my home and move back into town to be able to take my little boy to the park . And how a lot of things would be so much more simple in my life. Me and my husband talk about it........but it is these darn purple martins and blue birds that I can't leave behind. I am like a old cat lady but with birds. Lol ( but I am only 34) but sometimes you have to do what you have to do. And in the middle of this rambling I am kindly trying to say. You did it once you will do it again. I wish you the best of luck.
2008 1 pair
2009 3 pair
2010 7 pair
2011 20 pair
2012 44 pair 280 eggs 210 fledged
2013 67 pair.
2014 67pair
2015-2022 67 pair
Top
Anthony Neira
Posts: 1319
Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:12 pm
Location: San Antonio /Texas
Martin Colony History: Started in 1992 From neighbors old 1950-60's colonies. Have 8 Trio 6 Room Houses, 4 MPP Poles, 1 Heath Deluxe Gourd with Troyer Porch, 8 NatureLine Gourds with Troyer Porches, 5 Troyer Horizontals ,& 2 S&K 11" WITH Troyer Porches ready for 2019 Season !

Great! At least you know what to do! Houses? Gourds? Both? Please post pic.s ! Good luck, Anthony
Top
KathyF
Posts: 3522
Joined: Thu May 24, 2007 1:57 pm
Location: Missouri/Licking
Martin Colony History: Colony started - 2007 with one pair
As of 2018 - 84 cavities offered, max # of pairs hosted - 82.

Good luck, Virgil - they'll miss you in DeRidder, I'm sure!
"Sometimes", said Pooh, "the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."
2023 - 82 pair
2022 - 80 pair
2021 - 75 pair
2020 - 78 pair
2019 - 80 pair
http://kathyfreeze.blogspot.com
Top
Virgil McCoy
Posts: 302
Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2010 3:06 pm
Location: Louisiana/Alexandria
Martin Colony History: Purple Martin Landlord since 2006

Thanks for all the encouraging comments! Answering a couple of questions, my neighbors assumed the colony left behind. Next, I've started over with a new 12 gourd setup consisting of Natureline gourds with crescent entrances. The bottom of my lowest set of gourds is 14 feet above ground. I've used four different types of pvc gourds over the years and keep going back to the Natureline as my primary gourd. I also won't knock the use of any SREH, just prefer the crescent mounted 1/16 inch above the porch. Wing entrapment will always be an issue and have made homemade guards same as used in the past.
Proud to be a fourth generation Purple Martin landlord.
Top
Virgil McCoy
Posts: 302
Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2010 3:06 pm
Location: Louisiana/Alexandria
Martin Colony History: Purple Martin Landlord since 2006

Mark, my great grandfather was a landlord in south central Ohio. I have a photo of his, "Purple Martin Hotel", lol, in the late 30's to early 40's which I need to use as my Avatar on this site.
Proud to be a fourth generation Purple Martin landlord.
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Purple Martin Forum”