Purple Martin Forum

Used two of them here in SC for about 4 yrrs. Have since replaced with gourds. Two main problems I had were high fledgling mortality rate (heat) and the bottoms rusted out. FWIW

I have the little vents open in each compartment, but most of my jumpers this year have been from my T 28! Temps here during the last couple weeks have been around 90 with high humidity.

Any idea how to better vent the compartments?

Martins here like the Bo 9 with clinger tunnel. I have some old Big Bo's with clinger tunnels, Bo 9's with clinger tunnels, and 60 Bo Plus with tunnels. All variations were taken, martins didn't seem to prefer one over the other. I do like the Bo Plus, but the tunnels have to be installed carefully....

Some linger for a few days, then leave. I think they stay in the area and socialize with other birds. Some evenings there are hundreds that perch for a while and cause a ruckus then head off to roost overnight. Once babies fledge, they have no need for cavities.......

Scout posted in Louisiana!

Congrats, and hope you have a great season. My daughter and son-in-law live in Apex....went up last weekend to help them set up a gourd system I was not using. They're excited to join the fray.

BTW, I'm in Conway, SC.

Just get vent caps from s&k for the Bo 9.

I have new trendsetter up as well. Been using all gourds but there are at least 2 pair using the trendsetter. I have the 28 model but do have a question about ventilation. Is there anything I need to do for best ventilation before the heat comes to SC? Thanks Edit: google is my friend!! I now see th...

Thanks, Tara! Taken care of.

Louise,

I can't post scout arrival. I have requested lost password and don't seem to be getting one. I've checked spam and not there either.

Aaron Piver

Check for yellow beaks on the males.......iridescent dots on the females. If so they're starlings.

Thanks, just hang in!

I moved to that location in 2008. No birds 'til 2010. First two years just a couple pairs, then in 2012 the site exploded and continues to grow. I've put up another pole that will have 12 gourds and two houses, I plan to stop with that!!

Here's a video of my little mini roost this year. Taken from the deck. Birds didn't seem to mind me being close as they gathered for the night. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5_P2IAK30k

Aaron

Al, My mini roost has been building up every evening. Might be getting some of your young ones. Last night there were tons of birds in the big cypress tree and both gourd trees were loaded. Right at dark about half of them left and the rest stayed tucked in near the pole on the gourd arms. Fun to wa...

I have a "cheap" Stoeger X10 that I paid $129 for. After a little break in period, it does pretty well. I have picked a sparrow off my gourd porch at about 70'.......but I've also nicked the porch on a few as well!! I'm in the process of putting a scope on it now.....the old eyes aren't what they us...

Did you glance around to see if anyone was watching?? I always do, when I do something I deem stupid.

Hang in! They were much later getting to our site in Conway this year as well as another site about 4 miles from me. Got about 16 birds now and hopefully this front moving thru will bring some more on Fri or Sat!

Neat! Still waiting here on the coast (almost coast).

Would thin plastic sheets run thru a shredder work for nesting material? Over the years, I've seen the martins use lots of plastic items........Just a thought.

BTW, I usually use pine straw.......and another post said chop it with a mulching mower......sound good....will try it soon.

Having 500 or so birds do a mini roost at my site for 5 evenings!! Awesome.