Hi Ryan,
Congrats on getting your first martin. SY are usually the martins that will start your new colony. I encourage you to read everything you can on martins and how to be a great responsible landlord. Thank you for picking up the hobby of martins.

Hey there Tim, I added perches where I cut out each wire to make the 4 x 4-inch openings. I used the smallest diameter PEX tubing, cut a split in the pex, filled it with an exterior caulk, silicone or lexel and then snaped the split over the horizontal wire in the 4 x 4-inch openings. Since that tim...

Here is an image of what you need. It is a great product that I use on all my purple martin gourd stuff like porches, etc...You don't need to caulk over it. Lexel is like caulk and silicone and adhesive all in one. It has qualities that are unique, it is extremely flexible and it acts as a strong ad...

Hi Tim,
If he is looking in rough shape, you might want to consider placing the crickets right on his tunnel porches or just inside the entrance. Keep up the good fight.

If you google video a search for "purple martin life by Dave Duit" and fast forward the video to 8:37 you will see a picture of a tree swallow. I hope this will assist you in Identifications.

Three reports in Iowa as of March 23rd. West Des Moines, New Sharon and Lockridge. It appears as if they are about one weeks earlier than last year according to our data.

Thanks guys,
It is a real workout stretching for all those string, horn and buttons. lol. In the old days, before I had a colony. I did the same in opening my windows to play the dawnsong.

These are hard times for us all being stuck inside during the Covid 19. So, I decided to pick up this hobby and practice just for the arrival of my martins. I will open my windows and let them hear my beautiful music, sort of a warm welcome for our purple friends. Just kidding, but it does help us w...

Thank you Tim for the update. They sure did come in early to Iowa.

Hey everyone,
Just a heads up to be ready for the early arrivers. There have already been reports of martins in Iowa and as far north as Des Moines.

Just bumping up since the original date is nearing.
Reminder: KALONA, IOWA PURPLE MARTIN WORKSHOP INDEFINITELY POSTPONED
Dave Duit

2020 Kalona, Iowa Purple Martin Workshop and Seminar has been INDEFINITELY POSTPONED.

Thanks Jennie.
10 days until the big event !!!!!!

Good insight John. As for me, I'm restricted to yard space. You are right, any large congregation of birds is a dinner bell for hawks and owls.

Gary,
Thank you. I enjoyed reading your perspective and great positivity and all the mentoring. You gave us a breath of fresh air in inspiring our future with martins. Thanks again.

Hi jpp77,
My racks are 5 feet apart at their closest points. The martins seem to be unaffected by the distance.

The troubling sparrows are a tuff bunch. The downfall of sparrow nest removal is the "sparrow revenge" that occurs when nests are removed. They will go to nearby compartments and kill babies and other adult martins. It is sometimes unseen by landlords, but it occurs during sparrow nest removal. Kill...

randy M, Excellent observations about unmanaged colonies. My Iowa organizations mentors are responsible for teaching new landlords of the importance to maintain colonies and follow protocol. Good landlords are good mentors. After we initially assist new landlords to get established, we follow up in ...

Just curious as to the size of your colony in the past years. Sometimes, survival rate affects the colony's success or failure. Another possibility could be that there may have been a massive mite infestation, owl predation or bad continuous hawk attacks.

Thanks Louise,
I always look forward to your input and background. Much appreciated.