Purple Martin Forum

Dave911, That is how it was for me this year! One day, I was watching the flurry of first flights, lots of noise and encouragement, then bam, it was silent. Over a few days, I would have 4 - 6 young ones that still hung around for a couple of hours. I just had a single pm show up today. I believe so...

Thank you for the feedback! This morning, there are three males and one female.
I will go put some nesting back in there. Gives it that lived in look!
LisaJ

Landlords, I guess I spoke too soon yesterday about having not lost any babies. Late yesterday afternoon, I lowered the house and was cleaning out all of the cavities. I found out I did lose one hatchling that had begun to get his fuzzy feathers. Then, I found 6 eggs in one cavity that never hatched...

Thanks, Joe! Mine all left too, but some came to spend the night, or early in the morning. Have not taken house down yet. Always kinda makes me sad! Safe travels, my sweets!
LisaJ

I had a very successful season! I don’t have a huge pm house, and doubled the cavity size in 10 nests. Had 42 eggs, all hatched, did not lose a single baby and all fledged. I still have the house up, but is it just me, or did this seem to happen so fast? Maybe I just miss them, but it seemed they al...

Thanks, Coolwhips. Yes, this evening I watched a pair feeding the two yet to fledge. All others are gone. Oh, how I will miss them all. I had the best year yet with my sweet PMs! Nothing like their songs! Happy that I did not lose a single hatchling. My heart feels sad too. Counting the days till th...

The past two days in N. TX, I only have 2 PMs, one adult is still feeding one that has not fledged yet. I had over 35 fledge and the adults are gone too. It seems to be too early for them to all leave?? Plus worried about this last little guy. Would it be strange for most of them to head out already...

:grin: I am SO happy today! I have been watching my “babies” take their first flight, following mom or dad and peppering the blue sky with loud song!! It was hard to count for certain, but I believe 15 have earned their wings!! It is such joy to see this! So many nest checks, being a rescue mom for ...

I am thrilled to have a new PM house! I have learned so much over the 3 years I have loved being “my babies” landlord. This forum was and is a huge help! I did a nest check today and had one escapee. Fully feathered but not ready to fly. Got him back in his apartment with the rest of the brood. Ligh...

My PMs we’re raising a huge, loud, fit a few minutes ago. I thought maybe that hawk was close. When I went out back, a saw what all the fuss was about. My neighbor just finished putting up a new apartment house. I am thrilled to have more PMs and fun to watch and help a new landlord. My question is ...

Nest check resulted in 18 live babies, 5 eggs yet to hatch. one cavity has nesting material, but no eggs or babies. ready to see the relay of dragonfly feedings. Pretty mild temps so far. Now the fun begins as a landlord!! The Starlings and Sparrows gave up a long time ago since working from home al...

That is great!
I have a hawk that comes around once in a while but I go nuts and all of the pm’s chase him out of here, screaming at him all the way. Looks like I have a tough family! So cool to think I knew them when they were in the egg!
Keep us updated!

Yes, they will. I worried the same thing every spring. Be patient and keep clearing out any HOSP nest, every day.

Hey PM family! I got a new phone and am still learning. Put up a new house with larger apartments. Update: 3-1; Scout spotted 3-5; Scout on porch 3-12; First pair 3-20; 3 pair 3-31; 4 pair 4-2; 5 pair No nest building yet. I put some pine straw around for them. So happy to hear their morning songs. ...

I will look them up. Thanks!

That's a good point! Stay tuned as I wait and watch!

Thank you, Brad. I am finally relieved that I am just being anxious. House is in the same spot. I tried Lowe's, but they looked at me like they had never heard of pine straw. I am set for many seasons with what I have now. Watching and waiting!!

I can't wait to see them again! Thank you!

Thanks Brad and CC,
I am on my 3rd year as Landlord. I took down the old house and put a new one up. I wondered how the returning pm's would react to new digs.
Yes, I have put the pine straw in. Mud is my next step to give it that lived-in look!