Purple Martin Forum

Thanks !

you see last year I placed the tree swallow nest 35 feet away from the PM gourds. I also had one in a different area than PM gourds & the first tree swallow nest . Everything was closed except tree swallow nests > There were about three to four pair of TS flying around . They were going after the Bl...

No they have not been in the gourds....their nest was 35 feet away last year but they would perch on the PM gourd pole occasionally. And if PM's came by they would chase them off. That is why I'm thinking of 100 feet or more away from PM gourds....or no tree swallow nesting at all.

Last year the Tree Sparrows I have had returning for past 4 years chased off my purple martin opportunity. After reading several articles of dealing with tree swallows I would like thoughts on which would be the best option: 1. Do not put up the nests at all this year. Eliminate any interference. / ...

As I prepare for sprng 2021....in my area there are quite a few white pine trees. I am concerned if I rake some in a neighbors yard where they use round up that some of the needles could have been sprayed. Now the round up was used in the Spring & summer months of 2020. Or should I just purchase the...

I mixed Troyer with S&K tunnels. Mostly Troyer. I use to have gourds underneath (2) but I setup a gourd pole about 20 feet away

Decided to change my T14 to a T10.....read a previous posting on designs and went with alternating tunnels. each box is 12 inches long and 7 inches wide. Also around 7 inches high. Cut down a few tress....just maybe next year:)
I attached some pics.

Garry

What should be the dimensions of a nest try ? length, width, thickness. Should they be flush with hole if full length of compartment?

Thanks Ed ...yes I have them prenested. Will follow the other colony's lead

Either way you go side or door mount I would suggest a 3" hole where you mount your tunnel. ¼" hole in each corner of the tunnel and attach with nylon push pins. I have done Clinger Tunnels this way for years and they hold well. This is a T-10 I built last season with side mount Clinger tunnels. Th...

I live in Central Virginia. I have not seen a PM fly by for weeks. I have a PM colony about a mile away I am visiting today. If the PM's are gone should I go ahead lower the gourds and plan next year? Or keep it up?

So this afternoon around 4:30 three PM did a fly by. I had the dawn song playing....so I assume they were checking out if those decoys were real? Or were they checking out the site for potential next year?

Good info ....how wide and how high are your compartments .? Also do u use nesting trays?

good point . Could vent the sides of the compartment with 3/4 holes

Was thinking of using a Troyer Tunnel with Collar / Porch and attach to one of my T-14 Compartments. Anyone ever tried this? For next year

White-out The T-14 is on a winch system & I have a 6 gourd pole. I just read that the "new" compartment size is a little bigger. I made another Landlord a two compartment cedar with taller compartment height and inch wider. He has two pair of PM;s in each. But he does have an established colony & I ...

So I have a t-14 I built over 8 years ago. I have never had PM's. I used a design plan from PM assoc. with cedar wood painted white. With pullout trays. I have it on a 3"X 3" steel pole in concrete. I am thinking of replacing it with a aluminum house less compartments. Or switch to more gourds (whic...

After several weeks of seeing the Purple Martins Fly over & swoop down at box...last week no sign of them . So whats going on? They made a decision to stay another place? All the suggestion were used .....should I continue with dawnsong?

Thanks for all the thoughts......I have done all which was recommended...except for decoy inside ...I'll try that today. According to the book I have it appears to be an adult female. She frequents daily mostly fly over and swooping down approach to land but doesn't . Like she is trying to see who c...

So just keep it open and keep out the other birds until pm season is over ?