Purple Martin Forum

Thank you for everyone's information. This is my 11th year and I worry that I will be martinless some day. I seldom get subadults at my colony each year to keep it thriving. My purple martin house is surrounding by neighbors' houses so it is not as open. I'm grateful for any birds that do return.

My colony isn't very large. I had 6 adults pairs last year. So far I have 4 pairs. I live in NE Wichita.

Are your adult birds late this year? I only have half of my birds so far.

SueCola: Just remember in the future, don't let the male sparrow get too familar with your purple martin house. Trap and exterminate him from the start. He is so hard to catch when he has been around the colony as long as he has. Keep trying. I know how frustrating it is when it seems the sparrow is...

Hi SueCola, I have had experience with "male sparrow syndrome". A few years ago before I was knowledgeable about HOSP, I would tear out the nest each time the male would build it only for the HOSP to rebuild it in a matter of hours. When the female began to lay eggs, I would throw the nest out as we...

Hi Suecola: The weather is looking good for the next 7 days. I wouldn't worry about the birds that are migrating from the south northward. I usually keep a supply of mealworms on hand in case we get inclement weather. I remember one July day a few years ago, it was down in the 30's and I lost some b...

Beth, I hope our other birds that haven't arrived at our colonies at this time didn't succumb to the weather. Tara at the PMCA also told me that not all martins may recognize mealworms as food. This might explain why that pair died. She also said that there was no significant weather event so far th...

Hi Beth: I was wondering if you had lost any of your adult martins. I lost 1 male last Saturday and his mate the next day. What baffled me is that all of my martins had been fed mealworms in the last 3-4 weeks. Mealworms were still in the cavity where this pair died. I called the PMCA and talked to ...

Suecola: I have a Troyer 14 house and have opened all 14 compartments even though I have only 1 pair. I know the remaining 5 pairs that nested last year in the house should arrive any day and I don't want to discouraged them if the house remains closed with the exception of the one compartment. This...

I have just received my 1st pair of martins on March 24th. I agree that many Kansas Landlords do not manage their colonies and allow sparrows to co-habitat. It's frustrating for those landlords, me included, who are more diligent in trapping and eliminating. Kansas does not have a large population o...

Carlton:

I understand and do use extreme caution when using glue traps. I do not take my eyes off of the compartment until I know I have seen a male sparrow go in. I do allow the sparrow to build his nest before inserting the glue trap.

I appreciate everyone's advice. Thank you.

What is the easiest way to trap sparrows in the Troyer 14 house? I purchased several years ago, thru the PMCA, the insert sparrow traps but the sparrows were suspicious to enter once they had claimed a compartment. So I resorted to glue traps. The company that made them has discontinued making them....

Beth,

I am glad you got some good news today. This is my 8th year as a landlord and had 8 pairs successfully last year.

I have been outside doing yard work the last couple of days and haven't heard any martins in my area. I will have to be patient.

Connie

Are the birds late in our area?