Purple Martin Forum

Morning everyone, I was just wondering what you thought my chances were of having some adults still show up here in south eastern Ohio before the subs show up? Last year I had an S&k barn with some gourds under it an and had two pair raise 5 apiece and I also had many sy hanging around. I built a t-...

Does anyone shoot/trap sparrows in the winter ? I have several feeders and at times piles of sparrows come flooding in. I was just curious ?
Thanks
Buckdog

GFB, I am planning on putting up the original housing and the new box is approximately 15 feet away so I think everything should be good. MY main concern was that While looking through the Troyer plan book I read in the "Commandments" that a additional houses should not be put up before they return ...

Good Morning all, I had a question about adding a new house to a new site. Last year was my second season and I was fortunate enough to get get a couple pair and fledged 8. There was several birds at the end of the season hanging around so I am hopeful for the next season to have success. I had been...

Hi all, the was thinking about using clinger tunnels in a t-14 I was building an was wondering about what size hole to drill? I had just read some conflicting info and didn’t know if anyone had any experience?
Thanks
Buckdog

Thanks for the Quick responses! I’m working on the houses now in the garage and have a half dozen Martins singing their heads off so that’s pretty cool! I have the boxes built and am starting on the roofs. I’m pretty excited to get it built an up. Since this was my first year of success I can’t wait...

Hey all, I have been in the midst of building a T-14 and was wondering what pole and length you may have used on your setup. I’m amazed at how heavy the house is going to be and was just curious what you all were using. Thanks for the advice!
Buckdog

Thanks for all the nice comments. I did get to enjoy the days leading up to there fledging. It was very cool to see 8-12 martins gathering and carrying on. Just mowed the yard and it was fairly quiet:( Now I’m starting to think about next year and getting a more established colony and upgrading my h...

So I had been trying for two years and finally got a two pairs to nest, each had 4 babies, and was just getting ready to fledge when..... we went on vacation. The way I had it figured it was going to be the morning of or the morning after we left for the first nest to be fledged. Wife even said we c...

Good morning, I was wondering about the effectiveness of the S&K predator guard for the tri tel pole. Caught a pretty large black snake that was just a bit smaller than my wrist in my barn which is only 20 yards or so away. I didn’t know whether I should use the black mesh cloth above it as well. My...

I was wondering what your feelings were on lowering the Martin box in heavy winds. U have an S&k barn on a tri tel pole and also have 6 gourds hanging underneath. I’ve only had birds for a couple weeks and things are going good and was nervous about lowering the pole a section. It’s going to be 40mp...

Good morning, I just had a couple of questions as to what to expect (I know it’s impossible to really tell) from a newbie landlord. I have had 3 birds an adult male and an sy male, and a female staying for a couple weeks. The female does seem to favor the adult and they are often together but the yo...

So can to much activity around the house cause problems early on if you are a newbie? I have an adult male and an sy competing for a female? Will they be disturbed if there is lots of activity by humans? Or the more the merrier?

Was waiting on pins and needles this morning and they emerged:) keeping my fingers crossed!
Good luck to all!

Finally had some overnight visitors, 2 asy and another which I couldn’t identity. 4 nights in a row lots of activity and was using one gourd a lot, and then the weather went to crap and I really hadn’t seen hide not hair for 2 days. Is that common or am I back to square one:(
Buckdog

This is my second year and I had lots of visitors last year, and 4 days ago had an adult pair show along with another I can’t tell yet. Now there are 4. I’ve been waiting anxiously in the evenings to make sure that they return. Pretty exiting waking and seeing the action around the house. Good luck ...

Does anyone indiscriminately shoot them in their yards whether they are bothering things or not. Seems like they are always around but not bothering anything yet. Would you shoot if given the chance or only nuisance birds?
Thanks
Buckdog

When using a sparrow trap, what is the best way to kill the sparrow?
Thanks
Buckdog

I have a bluebird box not far from my wannabe Martin house and it has always had bb and they always had young. This year I had 5-6 eggs and everything was going good and then wammmo, Something got them. No trace of the eggs makes me think black snake. I would’ve thought a raccoon would’ve cracked th...

I had an adult pair hang around most of the evening and even spent some time together in the gourd. and possibly are in the gourd now! My daughter and I were able to enjoy the show before the rain and cold ran her out. I saw her on the checking it out at about 15 minutes before sunset. I can’t wait ...