I’m with Brad on this one to me all the tall tales are disgusting and may be misleading to folks that are just starting up and are still learning about martins.

Hello everyone Hope you all are having a good season.
Here are the numbers from my last nest check a few days ago.

683 eggs.
347 have hatched .
136 pair.
A few more pair still building nest.

Lynn.

Hey Steve, buffalo gnats are definitely a concern of mine as I have heard of folks to the south of me having problems with them. I use a product called horse and stable spray I apply it on the outside of the housing this has worked well for me in the past .

Nest check 6-8-19
130-pair/active nests
573-eggs
31-babies

Lynn

I have never seen so many subadult purple martins as I have this spring! I am located here in southern Iowa . As Tim Gedler stated migration may be leveling off but I’m pretty sure there are still A few weeks left of decent numbers migrating through our colony. Good luck to all of you still waiting ...

Sounds like you’ve got the makings of a great foundation for a new Martin colony ,congratulations Tim. Many prayers sent your way.
Lynn.

Fuzzmeister mine have nest trays and also I have installed Connley II tunnels very little water gets past the tunnels.

Hey Kyler, heck of a good idea and it’s great that you’re doing everything you’re doing I’ve collected a few of those old aluminum houses over the years as well and paid cash for a few. And I agree with what you’re thinking as far as keeping the Sparrows from breeding /nesting in a Martin house, but...

Hello Zheeeem, if you had breeding martins last year and they have returned you need let them in ASAP!

I just use just use thumb and index finger around the head give a little pinch and crush their skull instant death no blood no mess!

Thanks Dave Duit.
Hey,Steve if I remember right it’s like 10% or so .

Hey Dave I can certainly feel your pain as far as patience goes and I hope you can get your colony started this summer. I fledged just over 500 last year only a small percentage of those come back to their natal colony as you know. So I would think there still be plenty to go around. Sincerely ,your...

We had a few SY females arrive here yesterday at our colony in New Sharon,Iowa for those of you who may want to know. Last year we had 121 successful breeding pair. For the 2019 season we are offering 136 compartments to start with. We have 100 pair here so far give or take a few. If the Asys contin...

There's only a few reported in the whole state of Missouri i find it hard to imagine an Sy male in Iowa.

Hey Bill, why not try Emil Pampell's method of keeping starlings out?

If you are talking about closing the hole on the backside of converted nesting cavity then i would recommend something like flyin-lowe suggested.

Hey Doug, I like to think mine take the land route!

Lynn.

Asy female.

Bump

Soft pine needles.