Getting serious this year

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Bcorbs1217
Posts: 121
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2016 6:22 am
Location: Silver Spring, Maryland
Martin Colony History: Active colony since 2005.

Hi All, Becky here. Happy Mothers' Day to all the moms today. I've had a PM colony for going on 13 years but it's time to get serious. My numbers are way down this year. I only have two pair (ASY male/SY female and ASY male/ASY female). I'm convinced that my lack of sparrow control may have to do with dwindling numbers. I have 2 traps now: one repeating bait trap and one with two metal-hinged compartments. I "relocated" a female HOSP to a watery grave this morning. By the way Louise, I tried to purchase the RBT from y'all but the link to purchase doesn't work.

I also have a huge Redbud that has grown up from seed about 30 feet from PM gourd rack. I can cut down this beauty or relocate the gourd rack but plan to do one or the other after PM's head back to Central America. Nest checks are another area where I have failed in my due diligence. I'm retired now so have no excuse for doing my upmost.

To all newbies out there, please don't make the same mistakes that I have. PM's need our support and protection. I just hope it isn't too late to build up the colony numbers again. Any suggestions on the Redbud/gourd location would be appreciated.
Becky Corbett. PM landlord since 2005; 12 supergourds.
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Otee977
Posts: 50
Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2017 8:42 am
Location: Prescott Ar

Red bud trees don't stay in bloom as long as Martins do ,start the saw :grin:
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MRV
Posts: 27
Joined: Mon Mar 14, 2016 8:10 pm
Location: Illinois
Martin Colony History: previous landlord at former location ,recently purchased new property ,housing is up !

Becky ,

sorry to hear about the decline , can you shoot where you are ? you have to wipe the sparrows out..no question..trapping takes time and its up and down....a finally tuned rifle is your best option.Oh , Happy Mothers Day ! :)


Steve.
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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.

Becky,
How long does it take for a redbud tree to grow to a blooming state in your area? In this area, a redbud begins starts to flower from a very small size.
How long did it take for purple martins to establish your colony?
If it were my colony, I would go buy a new redbud tree for a Mother's Day present. Get one shorter than you are tall, plant it in a place that you can enjoy and will never interfere with your gourd rack, and cut the top of the tree back to be 2/3 the size. Cutting the tree back allows the top to match the root system from the nursery. It will actually establish and flourish faster by trimming the top back. Keep it watered properly this summer and it will grow to a beautiful size in a short time. Enjoy the beautiful flowers next spring.
This week (the sooner the better) cut down and remove the old redbud tree.
There is still time this year to get more purple martins since migration has been slow. Your colony will begin to re-establish this year. Enjoy the new martins this summer.
Read this topic, WHEN YOU DO EVERYTHING WRONG IT'S NOT TOO LATE by DebA, to feel better about the immediate changes for this year - http://purplemartin.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=33210
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.
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Bird Brain
Posts: 338
Joined: Wed Feb 10, 2016 9:22 am
Location: Highland Village, TX
Martin Colony History: 2022-visitors, 2023-visitors, 2024-1 pair, fledged 4, 2025-10 pair, fledged 42, 2026-17 pair, fledged 81

Redbuds are only beautiful for 1 month and are an eyesore the rest of the year.
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Bcorbs1217
Posts: 121
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2016 6:22 am
Location: Silver Spring, Maryland
Martin Colony History: Active colony since 2005.

Thanks for the encouragement and the advice. That Redbud grew up from a seedling and as far as I'm concerned another seedling can take its place (in a new location, that is!). I'm getting out the saw while the hubby is out of town. The good news is that as of today I have 3 ASY males and 1 SY male, 3 ASY females and an SY female and several more SY females who seem to be unattached. Swingin singles for now, I guess.
Becky Corbett. PM landlord since 2005; 12 supergourds.
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